Kalakshetra Foundation is issuing this statement, in the light of two Tweets by the National Commission for Women (NCW) on March 22, 2023. The NCWs Tweets were in relation with a report in an online magazine on March 21, 2023.

The Foundation has responded to the NCW on 24 March 2023, and placed before it the facts and the actions that had already been initiated by the Foundation on the matter referred to in the magazine. The Foundation has requested the NCW to consider the actions already taken, and that if the NCW was not satisfied with their adequacy the Foundation would welcome further inquiry by it.

This has been notified to the appropriate authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

During the last few months, a scurrilous campaign is being carried out through social media posts casting aspersions on the functioning of Kalakshetra Foundation, and targeting some members of faculty and also maligning the institution's credibility.

The Foundation has a robust and active Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted as per the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Visakha's case which comprises of the Director, two faculty members/teachers, and an experienced lady lawyer.

The Committee suo motu initiated an enquiry based on these social media allegations, which were repeated in the magazine. A detailed enquiry was conducted over a period of two and a half months to ascertain their veracity. It was found that the allegations were unfounded and baseless. During this period, Kalakshetra Foundation has not received any active complaints as per the guidelines of the PoSH.

Kalakshetra Foundation is an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of culture, Government of India and it was declared as an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Indian Parliament in 1993.

We are conscious that, as an educational institution established in 1936 by the Visionary Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, our endeavor has been to preserve, protect and promote the Indian tradition of culture and dance on the principles of 'Education without fear, Art without Vulgarity and Beauty without Cruelty'. The relationship between the Guru and Shishya is sacrosanct, more so when these students have been entrusted to our care by their parents in full faith that the Foundation will protect and take care of them.

The Kalakshetra Foundation stands by its commitment to provide an inclusive and a safe space for every artist, student and staff.

 

****

 

AD / DL

(Release ID: 1910624) Visitor Counter : 195