A Hyderabad-based activist has moved the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), demanding an enquiry into alleged human rights violations on the sets of popular TV show Bigg Boss Telugu.
Achyuta Rao from the Balala Hakkula Sangham submitted his petition to the HRC on Friday evening, and alleged that the show forced participants to indulge in ‘inhuman activities’.
"The show is violating the human rights of the participants by attracting them with prize money, and imposing punishments, in the name of a TV show," the petition reads.
“The participants are punished often. They are made to stick plaster on their mouth so that they do not talk, eat, or drink water for hours. They are asked to dip 50 times in swimming pools and are made to sleep in the garden at night. They are also asked to chop a bag full of onions as punishment,” the petition added.
Pointing out that even the Madras High Court had taken objection to a similar show that was telecasted on a Tamil TV channel, the petitioner contended that these activities were severe rights violations.
"The punishments are very harsh sometimes, and there is a possibility of loss of life," Achyuta Rao told TNM, when asked about the allegations.
This is not the first controversy that the show, hosted by actor Jr NTR, is facing.
Ahead of its premiere, Ramakrishna, the Chairman of the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce had urged Jr NTR to stay away from the show, claiming that it would hurt his popularity.
Predicting that the reality show would turn out to be a dud, Ramakrishna, a self-professed NTR and Jr NTR fan, claimed that it would put Jr NTR in the centre of unnecessary controversy.
Bigg Boss Telugu premiered on July 15, and has seem tremendous success.
As per reports from the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) about 5.2 crore viewers watched the first episode alone.
With his television debut turning out to be a massive success, Jr NTR and his fans are extremely happy.
(With inputs from Digital Native)