Ugly rule, woman make-up artist tells Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre seeking its intervention to end gender-biased, discriminatory practices allegedly being followed by regional federations of make-up artists including the Cine Costume and Make-up Artist Association (Mumbai), the Film Employees Federation of southern India (“FEFSI”) and their affiliated make-up artist unions.

A Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra issued notice on a writ petition from make-up artist Charu Khurana, who said her application for membership was rejected.

Ms. Khurana said: “As per the bylaws of all these unions and federations, make-up artists, hair dressers, etc, are required to register themselves with their respective union like the Cine Costume and Make-up Artist and Hair Dresser Association. Only a member of these associations is allowed to work as a make-up artist in the production unit in the cine industry. These federations and affiliated unions ensure that no non-member works in the production unit.”

The petitioner said this “wholly discriminatory practice” deprived female make-up artists of their fundamental rights to work and earn their livelihood guaranteed by Article 14 & 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

She said she had not been registered by any of the unions as a make-up artist despite the efforts made by the National Council for Women.