About 200 students began a sit-in protest on campus at Kalakshetra on Thursday, demanding swift action against four instructors accused of sexual harassment. Lets us see in detail what exactly happened there.
Arrests
Associate professor Hari Padman from Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation, was arrested by city police on sexual harassment late Friday night.
He was charged under IPC Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 509 (using words, gestures, or acts to offend a woman’s modesty), and Section 4 of the Women Harassment Act.
Complaint filed
Recently, a previous batch student filed a complaint at the city’s All Women Police Station. According to police officials, the individual was sending her indecent texts and comments on social media. The victim further stated that the faculty harassed her while she was studying at the institute, forcing her to stop her studies as a result.
Written complaints
The development comes on the day when Chief Minister M K Stalin vowed in the Tamil Nadu legislature a thorough inquiry and action against wrongdoers. Nearly 100 students filed written complaints with the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Women’s Commission. The officials of TNWC visited the campus on Friday. Later, the students called off their two-day sit-in protest.
Furthermore, the protesting students also wrote to the CM and the union culture minister, requesting that four male instructors be fired.
New Students Union formed
According to a statement given with TNIE, a newly established Kalakshetra students’ union was formed recently. This union stated that the students have been subjected to sexual and verbal abuse and harassment.
However, they say that this has been going on for decades by associate professor Hari Padman and repertory artists Sanjit Lal, Sai Krishnan, and Sreenath.
According to the letter, they have also faced body shaming, verbal abuse, and casteist remarks from serving director Revathi Ramachandran and head of the dance department, Dr Jyolsna Menon.
Examinations
Moreover, the head of the women’s panel also stated that students have indicated their desire to pass the examination, which was unexpectedly postponed by management on Thursday. “I shall discuss the matter with the institute’s director.” “I have also encouraged the students to end their protest,” Kumari stated.
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