Bigg Boss Telugu 3 row: Gayatri Gupta, Swetha Reddy appeal to NCW to ban the show

Even as 15 contestants gear up to spend the next 100 days locked up inside the Bigg Boss house starting tonight, outside, the brouhaha surrounding the third season of the popular reality show has reached a crescendo.

The protest to ban Bigg Boss Telugu Season 3 reached New Delhi, as actor Gayathri Gupta and TV journalist Swetha Reddy, who accused four representatives of the show of sexual harassment, camped outside Jantar Mantar on Friday, demanding justice. Calling for the show to put on hold until measures are taken to prevent sexual harassment, the duo have put forth a set of demands.

“Firstly, when they approach potential candidates, it must be done in an office monitored by CCTV cameras. Auditions must be conducted by a proper panel, including official employees of the channel. Also, a committee Against Sexual Harassment must be set up. Most of all, terms and conditions of the offer must be clear from day one,” says Gayathri, adding, “I will not rest until justice is done.” Both Swetha and Gayathri have also demanded compensation from the makers.

That’s not all, two women approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Delhi to highlight the shoddy manner in which candidates are being selected for the reality show.

Direct all queries to

star MAA

: Nag
On Saturday, members of the OU JAC staged a protest outside actor

Nagarjuna

’s Jubilee Hills residence and called him out for staying mum on the issue, ignoring the plight of the women who have alleged that they faced sexual harassment. But Nag is yet to make a statement on the issue. A close aide of the actor shared that he was not willing to comment on the Bigg Boss controversy, saying, “Nag has clearly stated that any questions about this controversy should be directed to Star MAA. He is not willing to comment on this issue.”

“The NCW has taken cognisance of the issue and has given us an assurance in writing that they will look into the matter. This fight is not just about us; it’s a fight we are taking up on behalf of many women who are being sexually harassed,” says Swetha.

OU JAC jumps into the fray, asks why Nag is silent.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, students from Osmania University’s Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) staged a protest outside actor Nagarjuna’s Jubilee Hills residence demanding that he break his silence on the issue. “As the host of the show, and a celebrity who people look up to, it’s his moral responsibility to speak out in support of the women who’ve come out and claimed that they have been sexually harassed. Why is Nagarjuna silent?” asks Sampath Naik, state president, OU JAC.

“This show is exploitative and voyeuristic in nature. It’s disappointing that a celebrity like Nagarjuna has to host a show like this. He should ideally do shows that will benefit the society. That said, all we ask of him is to come out and condemn this issue of sexual harassment raised by Gayathri Gupta and Swetha Reddy,” Sampath says, adding, “If there is no answer from Nagarjuna, we will not stop our agitation until the show is banned.”As the ruckus created by OU JAC members outside the Manmadhudu actor’s residence began to get out of control, the cops swung into action and took them into preventive custody. Meanwhile, representatives of STAR MAA, who do not wish to go on record, reiterate that they will not be issuing any official statement on the issue. “Everybody who’s creating this controversy is only seeking publicity. Our legal team will deal with the issue appropriately,” says a representative from the channel.