Jaipur: After the exit of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's co-produced movie, Bebaak, from the Mumbai Film Festival, it seems that other fests are following suit. Organisers 'privately' informed the director of the movie, Shazia Iqbal, that Kashyap's involvement with #MeToo accused Vikas Bahl was the reason behind the movie's exclusion.

Now, the world’s largest free literary festival, Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), has responded to a Change.org petition started by writer Rajni George stating, “The Festival unequivocally condemns all sexual harassment and gender discriminatory behaviour and supports what the #MeToo movement stands for. Our speakers' list has been completed and does not feature writers who have been named currently in the #MeToo movement.”

Writer Rajni George had posted a petition on the platform a week ago urging JLF to support the movement and take a stand against sexual harassment saying, "We ask that the Festival issues a statement declaring zero tolerance of sexual harassment.”

Image may contain: text

At the time of filing this story, the petition was 350 signatures short of reaching their target, which after JLF's assurance has already been met.