NEW Delhi: Kalakshetra, India’s pre-eminent art and cultural institution, has been embroiled in an ugly row over allegations of sexual harassment against an institution member and three repertory artists who work as substitute teachers at the prestigious Indian dance academy.
The college run and managed by Kalakshetra, the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, is at the centre of the controversy, top for teaching Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form.
The previous week, police arrested assistant professor and accomplished dancer Hari Padman after an ex-student lodged a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment.
Alleged sexual harassment on campus for years
It came after days of protests by 200 students of the institutions located in the city of Chennai.
They alleged sexual harassment at the campus for years and accused the administration of avoiding their complaints.
The administration didn’t respond to the BBC’s questions. In the short statement on their website, they’ve blamed “vested interests” for attempting to “sully” Kalakshetra Foundation, the autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
But after the institute scandal made headlines, the foundation announced a three-member panel, led by the former high court judge, to investigate the allegations. It suspended Hari Padman and also said that the services of the three repertory artists was “dispensed with the pending probe”.
The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women said it has has launched an inquiry.
Before his arrest, Hari had denied the allegations against him in meetings with college authorities. He told a TV channel that he would try to seek justice.
“There’re hundreds of students studying in Kalakshetra institutions. Ask them if I ever misbehaved with them and misspoke. I’ve never abused anybody. I stand by my conscience, and
I know they don’t have evidence,” he told News18, adding that the would rely on CCTV footage to prove his innocence.
His wife has defended him and lodged the counter-complaint against the complainant and two of Kalakshetra’s institution teachers, accusing them of levelling wrong charges against her own husband out of “jealousy and professional rivalry”.
