The Madras High Court has directed the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai to restrain a faculty member accused of sexual harassment from contacting students. The directive was made following a plea filed by seven students who have appealed for anonymity, seeking a formulation of a safety policy on campus, a redressal mechanism to deal with sexual harassment allegations, and the reconstitution of the institute’s internal complaints committee with student and parent representatives. This plea comes after the arrest and suspension of Assistant Professor Hari Padman from the institute for alleged sexual harassment and intimidation, which prompted around 200 students, both men and women, to protest against sexual harassment, body shaming, and discrimination on the basis of color by Padman and three other repertory artists. The students also alleged a cover-up attempt by the institute’s management.
National Women’s Commission (NCW) initially sought police action by the state DGP in response to the sexual harassment allegations made against the Kalakshetra Foundation, but later applied brakes on the investigation, stating that the allegations were misinformation against the union government funded dance and cultural institute. the State Women’s Commission Chief has stated that she received around 90 complaints from both male and female students, some of which included allegations of sexual abuse. Additionally, Chief Minister MK Stalin has reportedly stated that legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty.
