Sajid Khan deserves the right to earn a living after one-year ban: FWICE

A major debate in India right now is about whether Sajid Khan should be given a second chance at his career or not. While there’s criticism surrounding his participation in Salman Khan’s reality TV show Bigg Boss 16, given his previous record of being a sexual harasser, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) thinks the fuss is uncalled for, since he has already served his punishment and complied with the ban on him.

FWICE wrote a letter in support of Sajid’s participation in the reality TV show to the minister of information and broadcasting, Anurag Thakur. The said letter stated that Sajid was banned for a year and has now served his punishment. The ban on him was also lifted in March 2019—hence he should be allowed to live his life as a normal person.

The letter came in response to the chief of the Delhi Commission of Women, Swati Maliwal's letter addressed to Anurag as well. She urged for Sajid’s ouster from Bigg Boss 16, citing several allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The Federation stated that the letter they received from the Indian Film and Television Director's Association (IFTDA) included complaints against Sajid and a suggestion for a one-year ban on Sajid. To which, FWICE agreed and imposed the ban after thorough investigations by the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee at IFTDA.

It added, "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 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 March 2019. Sajid Khan has now entered into the Bigg Boss to earn his living."

Claiming that Sajid has “suffered” his punishment and has also been at the forefront of harsh humiliation on social media, they added that it's only fair that he is given the “right to survive” and earn his living. "He has also gone through the tough trials of the POSH committee and a lot of humiliation during those trying days on 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 concluded.

Sajid’s participation in Bigg Boss didn’t just direct criticism towards him for being a harasser but also towards the show's producers, and even host Salman. Sajid was accused of sexual misconduct by nine women.