Television – Divya Shinde Files Complaint Against Channel Officials
Television – Actor and former reality show participant Divya Sunil Shinde has approached Mumbai Police alleging discrimination during her stint on a popular Marathi television program.
Actor and former contestant of the Marathi edition of the reality show Bigg Boss, Divya Sunil Shinde, has lodged a formal complaint against officials of Colors Marathi, accusing them of discriminatory conduct and violations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. On Wednesday, she arrived at Aarey Police Station in Goregaon, Mumbai, accompanied by her advocate, to record her statement.
Complaint Filed at Aarey Police Station
Shinde’s statement was submitted at the Aarey Police Station, where she named channel head Prathamesh Desai and certain members of the production team in her complaint. According to her, the dispute stems from events that took place during her participation in the Marathi version of Bigg Boss.
The actor has alleged that she was treated unfairly during a discussion inside the house when she referred to the Indian Constitution. She claims she was restricted from invoking the Constitution as part of her argument during a debate segment of the show.
Dispute Over Mention of the Constitution
Speaking to reporters outside the police station, Shinde said she found it troubling that referencing the Constitution was objected to during the show. She maintained that the Constitution represents the values and rights of every citizen and should not be considered controversial or inappropriate in any context.
“I raised concerns about the way I was stopped from mentioning the Constitution,” she said, adding that the document belongs to the entire nation and cannot be linked to any single group. Shinde stated that she felt compelled to formally raise the issue, describing it as a matter of principle and equal rights.
Legal Grounds Cited in the Complaint
Her legal representative, Advocate Nitin Satpute, confirmed that the complaint has been filed under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He indicated that the matter goes beyond a single exchange inside the reality show and touches upon broader concerns about how participants are treated.
Satpute explained that Shinde believes her identity and rights were not adequately respected during her time on the program. While he acknowledged that reality shows often have internal guidelines, including language-related restrictions, he stressed that the core issue raised in the complaint is the alleged suppression of her expression and dignity.
Channel Yet to Respond Publicly
As of now, there has been no official statement from Colors Marathi or its head, Prathamesh Desai, regarding the allegations. It remains unclear whether the channel will issue a response or clarify its position in the coming days.
The police have not disclosed further details about the next steps in the inquiry. Officials are expected to examine the complaint and determine whether a formal case will be registered under the relevant sections of law.
Wider Debate Around Reality Television Conduct
The development has once again brought attention to the functioning of reality television shows and the boundaries set within such formats. Bigg Boss Marathi, like other versions of the franchise, operates under structured rules that guide contestants’ behavior, speech, and interactions. However, participants have occasionally raised concerns in the past about creative control and editorial decisions.
Shinde’s complaint now places the focus on whether restrictions imposed during televised debates can intersect with issues of identity and constitutional rights. The outcome of the police review may determine whether the matter proceeds further through legal channels.
For now, the case remains under preliminary examination, with both legal and media observers closely watching the developments.