NH-7 Organisers Accused Of Sex Abuse; Music Label Pulls Out

The “culturally conscious” independent record label Azadi Rocks has withdrawn its participation from this year’s NH7 Weekender in Pune. The Delhi-based entity and its artistes collectively took this decision after the event management company Only Much Louder founder and former CEO Vijay Nair were accused of sexual harassment at workplace and having a toxic work culture. They took to Facebook to state their views and announce their dissociation.

“In light of the allegations made towards OML, as a label and an artiste management organisation, we felt it important to speak to our artistes in order to get their feedback and to understand how, if at all, it changed their views on working with OML and performing at the NH7 Weekender in December in Pune. We asked the 6 acts across our roster who were scheduled to perform in the Azadi Records showcase: Seedhe Maut, Triangles, Tienas, Siri, Swadesi & Rak, to vote on the matter. The majority voted in favour of withdrawing from the festival,” said Azadi Rocks in the FB post.

“As a label, we recognise the importance of speaking up against the prevalent culture of sexual harassment and assault in the music industry and society at large. Sexual harassment and assault have no place in our society, and we will continue to speak up in support of the women and men who help highlight these issues,” it added.

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"As a label, we recognise the importance of speaking up against the prevalent culture of sexual harassment and assault in the music industry and society at large"

Over the last two months, several women spoke up against the problematic work culture in various industries including the media, film industry and corporates. Among the several names that came up in the list of alleged sexual harassers, Nair’s name also sprung up in a Caravan article where two women recounted how he allegedly sexually harassed them. The article stated that Nair’s position allowed him to act “brazenly and with impunity”.

After the allegations, OML released a statement categorically denying all the allegations. It also shared the internal complaints committee was set up in OML in 2013 following two sexual harassment cases.

Picture credit- Wild City

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