Madras High Court directs Kalakshetra to include a man in ICC

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed Kalakshetra Foundation to include a male member from the artistic field in its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ARL Sundaresan appeared before Justice Anita Sumanth on behalf of Kalakshetra Foundation and said that the members of the foundation’s governing body at the ICC were replaced by government nominees.

Senior advocate R Vaigai, appearing for Kalakshetra students, objected to the policy framed for the ICC and argued that the policy should be drafted as gender neutral.

After the presentation the judge found that the banned committee lacked male members and artistic perspective, hence the judge directed Kalakshetra Foundation to include a male member from the artistic field in the ICC. Furthermore, the judge also directed Kalakshetra to submit the draft committee to the defendants before November 21.

The court also directed Kalakshetra to hold talks with students regarding making a gender-neutral policy, as they are stakeholders. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for November 24.

Six students of Kalakshetra had moved the court objecting to the inclusion of Kalakshetra director Revathi Ramachandran in the committee formed to probe alleged sexual complaints against teachers. He also sought to include representatives of students and parents.