Anu Malik steps down as Indian Idol judge after National Commission for Women steps in

After continuously facing continuous pressure after he was reinstated as judge of the singing reality show Indian Idol, despite multiple sexual harassment allegations, veteran music composer Anu Malik has finally voluntarily stepped down from the show. 

Speaking about his decision, he told the newspaper supplement, Bombay Times, that he won’t return to the show until his name is cleared of all allegations. 

“I have taken this decision voluntarily. I want to take a three-week break from the show and get back to it only after I have cleared my name. While the channel has been supportive, it's solely my decision to take this break. All I want to say is that before jumping to a conclusion, it's important to hear the other side as well,” he told the publication.

Over the last few weeks, singer Soha Mohapatra has repeatedly shared posts on social media criticizing the channel Sony TV for reinstating Malik as the judge of the show. Following this, the National Commission of Women wrote a letter to the channel urging them to remove Malik. 

While sharing a copy of their letter on Twitter, NCW wrote, “NCW has taken suo-motu cognizance of a Twitter post shared by Sona Mohapatra wherein it's alleged Sony TV has ignored testimonies of multiple women against a person regarding sexual harassment and made him a judge for a talent show for youngsters on National television.” 

Mohapatra also expressed her concerns on the matter to Smriti Irani, minister of women and child development through an open letter which she posted on Twitter. While sharing the letter, she told Irani, “My open letter to the honourable minister for women & child development. Smriti Irani, I hugely admire you, your tenacity & commitment to work for the welfare of people in India & I request you to please read this. Many more women are writing in to me privately about this man.” 

Following Malik’s decision, Mohapatra thanked everyone for their support. "Thank you to all the women and men & the media of India who supported our campaign #MoveOutMalik. A repeat offender like Anu Malik on national TV triggered a lot of trauma, pain and stress in many of our lives. I have been ill for a while & I hope to sleep well tonight," she wrote on Twitter.