​Hairdresser from the Bengali entertainment industry sets herself on fire after losing her job; reveals allegations of harassment in her suicide note

The RG Kar rape-murder incident back in August has opened a can of worms in the state of West Bengal. From the lack of safety and security for women, queers, non-binary and trans-folks in the workplace to alleged corruption in various management bodies – Bengal is currently dealing with a train of blows from various professional fields. What started as a movement of doctors demanding justice from the RG Kar rape-murder victim and her family has turned into a mass movement, and people from several industries are coming forward with their encounter of harassment that have been brushed under the carpet for so long.The Bengali entertainment industry has been one of the focal points of this whistleblowing saga. A well-known hairdresser from Tollywood recently set herself on fire and attempted suicide after losing her job. The hairdresser attempted to end her life after being deprived of work for months because she had spoken up against the ongoing harassment inside the entertainment industry.
The hairdresser was saved by her daughter and was admitted to a hospital. She has sustained a number of serious burn injuries and is currently under recovery.
In an alleged suicide note, the victim narrated the ongoing harassment and the loss of work opportunities due to pressure from the guild. She wrote, “I was suspended for three months from May 1 but even then, I was not allowed to work properly. I could not fulfill my family responsibilities properly, so I am forced to commit suicide. Committee members of my guild are responsible for this.” The hairdresser added, “I was denied one job after another. I was set to work for Mainak Bhaumik’s upcoming film but the production manager informed me that the guild had instructed them not to give me the assignment.”
As per insiders, the hairdresser advocated for an election rather than nomination within the guild, which resulted in her suspension for three months in May. Her suicide attempt has sparked an outrage in Tollywood with several artists and technicians claiming the Tinsel Town to be the next RG Kar if substantial actions aren’t taken despite these incidents. They also have called for action against the alleged harassment and intimidation she faced from the guild and federation personnel.
The Bengali film fraternity has expressed their support and solidarity for the victim. Prominent figures like Sudipta Chakraborty, Chaiti Ghoshal, Srijit Mukherji rushed to the hospital to see the victim.
An official complaint has been filed at a police station in this case. The complaint was filed against 11 guild officials who allegedly harassed the hairstylist at work. It was also informed by the police that the investigation has already started.