Already suffered his punishment, he has all the right to earn his living: FWICE comes out in support of Sajid Khan after DCW demands his removal from Bigg Boss 16

By Tanmayi Savadi

on October 12, 2022 09:10:50 AM

Sajid Khan's return to the limelight with his participation in Bigg Boss 16 sparked a controversy. He kept a low profile after several allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled against him in 2018. As a result of this, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) banned the director for a year. Now, the cine body has come out in support of Sajid after the chief of the Delhi Commission of Women Swati Maliwal addressed a letter to the minister of information and broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, demanding the director's ouster from Bigg Boss 16.

In an official letter to Mr Thakur, FWICE said that considering the Indian Film and Television Director's Association (IFTDA) received complaints against Sajid, they imposed a year-long ban on him. However, the ban has now been lifted. "During this action initiated by the IFTDA and the FWICE, Sajid Khan was issued the non-cooperation from FWICE and was banned from working in the Film Industry for one year. Sajid Khan had co-operated with the IFTDA and FWICE and obeyed the decision of the POSH Committee. FWICE was satisfied with his behaviour during the period of his Ban and after the completion of the one year of this punishment the BAN on Shri Sajid Khan was lifted by the FWICE on 14.03.2019. Sajid Khan has now entered into the BIGG BOSS to earn his living," the letter stated.

The cine body also mentioned that Sajid has served his punishment and he has the right to earn his living. "He has also gone through the tough trials of the POSH committee and a lot of humiliation during those trying days in social media and other public platforms. A person who has already suffered his punishment and obeyed the decision of the IFTDA and the FWICE cannot be again tried and punished for the same offence. He has all the right to survive and earn his living and hence he has joined the Bigg Boss show. It is therefore requested to you to kindly please allow Sajid Khan to work for the show Bigg Boss and do not initiate any action against him as per the appeal submitted by the Delhi Commission of Women," the letter further read.

Ms Maliwal, in a tweet on October 10, raised objection over Sajid's participation in Bigg Boss 16. "Ten women had accused Sajid Khan of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement. All these complaints show the disgusting mentality of Sajid. Now, this man has been given a place in Bigg Boss, which is wrong. I have written to @ianuragthakur to have Sajid Khan removed from this show," she wrote.

10 #MeToo Bigg Boss @ianuragthakur ! pic.twitter.com/4ao9elyvkk

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) October 10, 2022

After being named in the MeToo movement in 2018, Sajid was asked to step down as Housefull 4's director. Almost 4 years later, Sajid will return to direction with 100% starring John Abraham, Riteish Deshmukh, Nora Fatehi and Shehnaaz Gill.