Taking strong notice of the incident wherein the television show ‘Bigg Boss 16’ contestant Vikas Manaktala abused another contestant Archana Gautam with casteist remarks during an episode, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), on the orders of its Chairman Vijay Sampla, issued a notice to the Maharashtra officials, Mumbai Commissioner of Police and production companies of the show and asked them to submit an action taken report in seven days.
In a Twitter post, the team of Archana Gautam said that: “Vikas Manaktala called Archana Gautam ‘neech jati k log’. According to Indian law, this is clearly an offence punishable under SC/ST Act “.
Taking immediate action on the social media post and the casteist abuse on Archana Gautam, NCSC has asked the secretary (Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), the additional chief secretary (home) of Maharsahtra, the commissioner of police (Mumbai ), the chief executive officer (Endemol India Private Limited) and the chief executive officer (Viacom 18 Media Private Limited) to investigate the matter and to submit the report till January 5, 2023, through post or email, based on the facts and information on the action taken on the allegation/matter.
Sampla cautioned the officers that if action taken report is not received within the stipulated time, then Commission might exercise the powers of the civil court conferred on it under article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue a summon for personal appearance before the commission in Delhi.