Kalakshetra Controversy Timeline: Students' Disturbing Narratives Of Sexual Harassment Leads To Outrage

Kalakshetra, previously known as the International Academy of Arts, was founded in 1936 by Rukmini Arundale. The academy was introduced to preserve the traditional values of Indian art and crafts. Hundreds of students from across the country come in throngs to the institute every year to learn nuances of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic Music and visual arts among other traditional art forms. However, today, unfortunately, we get to see the dark side of Chennai's renowned foundation.

An institute funded directly by the Ministry of Culture is making news for all the wrong reasons. Kalakshetra dance teacher, Hari Padman has been booked over sexual harassment charges by multiple students of the institute. However, this isn’t just another sexual abuse case. There is more.

The FB Post That Sparked The Controversy

The controversy sparked in December when an ex-director of Kalakshetra took to his Facebook account and posted about a senior faculty member of the institute. The post stated that the member has been harassing and molesting students for over a decade. The post read, "A public institution, a haven of the highest art and contemplation — now turning a blind eye to how young girls are treated. They are vulnerable. A male member of the staff is known to be threatening and molesting them, who are not yet adults." Though the post was later deleted, screenshots of the post went viral online.

The post encouraged many students and alumni of the institute to share their tragic stories of assault and harassment. Some students of the institute revealed to The Print that a senior faculty member has been harassing students for years now.

Kalakshetra’s POSH Committee Dismisses Abuse Charges

Following the online posts, the internal POSH committee (Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act 2013) launched an investigation. The accused, Hari Padman, assistant professor at the institute was given a clean chit by the internal committee three months after the investigation stating that the allegations were 'mostly manufactured' and purposely done to malign the reputation of the revered foundation. There are no reports on whether the students were heard by the POSH committee during the investigation.

Gag Order Issued

While students gathered the courage to call out the harasser, the institute issued a gag order and threatened them with legal action if they failed to comply with the guidelines. They were discouraged to raise complaints about harassment at the institute and warned of the consequences. A report by Spaliner also states that some students were allegedly under pressure to support the accused. Some were made to sign letters declaring that they feel safe in the accused faculty member's presence.

Students Protest Demanding Legal Action Against Hari Padman

National Commission for Women Chairperson, Rekha Sharma visited Kalakshetra after the sexual harassment news broke across the country. She reportedly visited to enquire about the sexual abuse allegations. The students complained that they were not given a chance to speak to the spokesperson.

Soon students of Kalakshetra began protesting, demaning a legal action against the dance teacher accused of sexual harassment. Following the silent protest, the college was shut down. Students later started a protest march and chanted 'We Want Justice'. The students revealed that they took the protest route because they weren't happy with Kalakshetra administration's decision.

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Hari Padman Booked

The professor accused of sexual harassment was arrest by Chennai Police based on the complaint with cases under Indian Penal Code Sections 354A (sexual harassment) and 509 (use of acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman) along with Section 4 of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.

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Male Students Accuse Teachers Of Sexual Abuse

After professor Hari Padman's arrest by the Chennai Police, four male students of the institute reported sexual harassment and molestation by faculty members Sanjit Lal and Sai Krishnan. They accused the two of molesting them and sending crude texts. A student in an interview with The News Minute revealing about the sexual abuse said, “He would touch my private parts in front of other students under the guise of teaching.”

The continous sexual harassment call outs have once again brought our attention to the country's biggest concern. No, it's not like something like this didn't happen before. Kalakshetra's stories of abuse are just another wake up call. Safety is indeed a distant dream.