CM vows action against Kalakshetra row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday said that proper inquiry would be conducted on sexual harassment complaints against senior male staff of Kalakshetra foundation and stringent action would be taken against the accused if they were proven guilty.

On Friday, grants for both school and higher education took place at the assembly. VCK MLA SS Balaji passed a resolution regarding the sexual harassment complaint against the Kalakshetra foundation.  While speaking on the resolution, members said that the police department should file a case and take action against the accused. They said that such instances were taking place in union government institutions, while demanding justice for the victims.

While addressing the members, Stalin said, “As far as the sexual harassment complaint is concerned, the National Commission for Women twitted on March 21 asking the TN DGP Sylendra Babu to file an FIR against the alleged perpetrator and Kalakshetra’s director Revathi Ramachandran for allegedly shielding him. 
Then, the foundation director met the DGP and claimed that no such harassment took place at their premises. Then, the commission wrote to the DGP on March 25, claiming that they have completed the investigation.”

‘The commission head on March 29 inquired all the 210 students in person and she asked the police officials not to accompany her. Now, following the protest, Kalakshetra foundation has closed its premises and asked the students to vacate their hostel,” he said. “Once the issue was brought to my knowledge, I contacted the district collector and asked for the status of the complaint. 

To inquire further into the case, revenue divisional officer, tahsildar, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner of police were sent to the spot and they started their investigation. The officials met the college management and students again on Friday and continued their investigation. We have taken all the safety measures for the girl students and have deployed a team headed by a woman inspector,” he explained.

As far as the government is concerned, proper investigation would be conducted into the issue and if the alleged staff are proven guilty, stringent action would be taken against them, he added.