New Delhi:Â The Madras High Court has called details of sexual harassment at Chennaiâs premier Kalakshetra academy âdistasteful and extremely disturbingâ and ordered that the recommendations of the independent probe committee set up be immediately considered.
Graphic details of the alleged impropriety and facts in the case were described in the report by the panel constituted by the Kalakshetra Foundation to look into the allegations of students. The panel was headed by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice K. Kannan.
Justice Anita Sumanth of Madras HC, who had ordered a copy of the report during the proceedings, also said in her order that it was âa blight on Kalakshetra that such allegations were being made for so long by students without being effectively or promptly addressedâ.
The judge also called for an overhaul of the guru shishya parampara practised in the college, observing in her 21 February order: âWhether traditional or modern, stakeholders in the education system are expected to adhere to expectations in regard to the demands of the system and how the same are to be met equitably and keeping with societal norms.â
She made the observations while listening to a writ petition filed by seven students of the academy, who preferred to remain anonymous.
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âMain accused Hari Padmanâs influenceâ
Allegations of sexual harassment were first reported in March 2023, which prompted protests from students against the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra, for its inaction.
The committee was formed in April 2023, and submitted its findings in August. The contents of the report, which were slammed by the high court, are confidential.
Though the recommendations have not yet been made public by the college, they found mention in Justice Sumanth’s order.
The panel has advocated a total ban of studentsâ entry into teachersâ quarters, except during festivities and community celebrations.
It has also said that emphasis of the foundation has to move from an âobsession for performanceâ in favour of âstudents polishing the artformâ.
It is to be noted that former students alleged that one of the reasons behind the harassment was because of main accused Hari Padmanâs influence in casting students for dance dramas. Male students have also alleged harassment at the hands of repertory members.
The inquiry committee has asked for a clear demarcation between the foundationâs repertory and the academic section.
A Kalakshetra alumna, however, expressed concern at this recommendation, saying, âThe glory of Kalakshetra comes from its dance dramas and excellent repertoire. And only senior students participate in the repertoireâ.
The panel has also recommended the setting up of a student redressal system, the automation of administration, including recording of entry and exit time of staff members, as well as hiring staff who have human resource management training.
It has strictly prohibited teachers from running parallel dance or music schools outside the college.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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