SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS TOP INDIAN DANCE ACADEMY

Schools and institutions, of all kinds, are always considered the safest place by the parents for their offspring. But what happens when the institutions turn them down? 

What happens when the students sent to such institutions get manipulated in some form or the other? Or let’s raise the question for the worst of worse- are they, being harassed by their teachers? 

One such incident that’s worth noticing is the one which took place in the dance centre of Rukmani  College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra, located in Tamil Nadu, Chennai, while students were taking lessons in classical dance. The complaint was filed against a faculty member along with three substitute teachers as artists. It was in December last year; this issue surfaced online. 

Hari Padman, an assistant professor who used to teach dance at the very prestigious institute has been arrested by the Police last week after the former postgraduate student had enough courage to file a  complaint against him which was further supported by the protest where more than 200 students were dissenting against the accused. Not only the students but a former director and Bharatnatyam dancer of the institute also took a step ahead and brought these serious allegations and accusations on Facebook. 

The fact that such sort of harassment was going on in any prestige university or institution was more than horrifying.

There’s no place for doubt or question that the administrative authority was to be blamed for completely being ignorant of the fact and how they decided to put a seal on their eyes, ears, mind and heart.

After the students continuously complained by that the alleged professor used to ask or force sexual favours on his students, how can the faculty not raise any voice against the same?

The more frightening thing is here- the victims were a combination of both the majority genders i.e. females as well as males. More than 90 people have accused him of body shaming and verbal abuse. 

The result of the administration of the institution being unresponsive led the Women’s Commission to coerce the ban of the three repertory artists.  

After a lot of protests when the management was bound to answer some or other thing, in response,  said that they would not spare anyone who will be found guilty. They further said that they ordered the three accused not to be allowed on campus. 

But what should the earlier taciturnity of the management be considered? 

Were they trying to protect their professor? 

Or were they trying to protect the sanctity of their prestige institution by keeping mum about the sanctity of the youth?  

Kalakshetra has been accused of silencing the voices of its students and shielding the alleged abusers.  But what can be the possible reason behind this picture? 

This prestigious university has been funded by the Union government and has been regarded and declared as an institute of national importance.  

The institution further decided to announce a three-bench panel by a retired judge and then started investigations for the same. After this, the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women also launched an inquiry into the accusations. The whole issue of sexual harassment which was kept in silence forever took a violent turn altogether. 

Against all the allegations and complaints filed against Hari Padman, he responded by saying that he would seek justice in all possible ways and was supported by his wife which was led by a counter-complaint by her. Divya Hari Padman, the accuser’s wife, mentioned that all this is merely an act of revenge set against her husband as he is famous and successful. 

Can so many students lie about a critical topic, harassment? Will they try to pull down their very own professor and like to play with their chastity, especially girls? 

If the issue was a lie, then the students didn’t have written to the Union Minister of Culture, Kishan  Reddy. The issue even came to the Tamil Nadu, chief minister, M.K Stalin who he was seen promising appropriate legal actions to be taken. But the truth is yet to be disclosed by further investigations. 

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