Industry promises support to Kiku

Kiku’s arrest leads the FWICE and other affiliates to file a writ petition in court challenging the scope and ambit of section 295 A

Comedian Kiku Sharda’s arrest has sent shivers down the spines of the entertainment and creative industry. The ambit of section 295 A under which Kiku was arrested has become a cause for concern for organisations like Federation of Western India Cine Employees(FWICE), Cine and Television artistes association (CINTAA) and other affiliates. To condemn Kiku’s arrest and ponder over the course of action, a meeting was convened on Monday evening at the CINTAA office. After much discussion, it is now decided that the said organisations will take the matter up with the government of India and also file a writ petition.

Commenting on the development, Aashish Rego, treasurer, FWICE said, “The federation is taking this issue very seriously because it’s an infringement on the rights of every creative person in this industry. We are going ahead with representations to the government on a state and national level because section 295 A cannot proceed in this manner. We are filing a writ petition in the court challenging the scope and ambit of section 295 A”.

“It all happened so suddenly to Kiku. But now, we are together. Next time, anything like this happens to any of us, all industry associations with all our members will stand in front of the authorities and demand justice. We will not let this happen again to any of us.” added Dilip Pithwa, general secretary, FWICE and Amit Behl, chairman, disputes committee of CINTAA.