Delhi Commission for Women demands Sajid Khan’s removal from Bigg Boss season 16 over harassment allegations

The inclusion of Indian filmmaker Sajid Khan in Bigg Boss season 16 despite him being accused of harassment has sparked outrage online. Celebrities and social media users have criticised show makers for allowing him airtime and now Swati Maliwal, the chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, has demanded his removal from the reality TV show.

On Monday, Maliwal took to Twitter and talked about Khan, how numerous complaints exist against the Main Hoon Na director and how that shows his “disgusting mentality”.

Maliwal also revealed that she has written to India’s Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur about the matter. Tweeting in Hindi, Maliwal wrote, “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 also shared photos of the letter asking Thakur to remove Khan from the show. “While there is a public outcry against Khan’s inclusion in the show, the makers of the show are refusing to remove him, as they apparently gain TRP ratings and viewership due to the ensuing controversy,” Maliwal revealed.

According to The Indian Express, Mandana Karimi was one of many women who accused Khan during the #MeToo movement and had spoken about his participation in the show that she took part in seven years ago.

Khan was suspended for a year by the Indian Film and Television Directors Association four years ago after allegations of misconduct started to surface online. He was also replaced by filmmaker Farhad Samji for Housefull 4.