With just a day to go for the first episode of the third season of Bigg Boss Telugu, students from the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) staged a protest outside the house of actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, who will host the show. The protesting students said that despite allegations of sexual harassment, the organisers of Bigg Boss, the official broadcaster Star MAA, and the host were silent on the issue.
"Women are complaining of sexual harassment yet Nagarjuna is not even responding on the issue. We want him to step down as the host. He should either step down or address the concerns raised by several women. If he can't do either, the entire show must be cancelled," a student leading the protest, told reporters gathered at the spot.
"He has the Akkineni surname and is from one of the most powerful families in Tollywood. He is morally bound to respond," he added.
They went on to raise slogans and were taken into preventive custody by the Jubilee Hills police, which had already stepped up security since Friday at the actor's residence in the area.
A day earlier, the same students had said that they would protest outside Nagarjuna's house along with the houses of all the contestants who participate in the show, until the organisers were willing to address the allegations raised.
"By misbehaving with women during the interviews, they are creating a hostile environment for women, not only on the show, but in society. We are condemning this strongly and we will not let the show go on," the students had said on Friday.
Presently, a police investigation is underway as a case has been filed against four organisers of the show; Abhishek Mukherji, Ravikanth, Raghu and Shyam. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is also being heard by the Telangana High Court.
Two women, who went for a screening test for contestants, have complained against the show so far; journalist Swetha Reddy and actor Gayathri Gupta. Both of them filed separate police complaints alleging that the organisers asked them inappropriate personal questions.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that all preparations for the show are already in place and shooting for the first episode is already underway.
The sets of the Bigg Boss house have already been constructed in Annapurna Studios, which is owned by Nagarjuna's family.
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