The demand for setting up an IC under the PoSH Act gained momentum in Karnataka following the Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry, which exposed the prevalence of sexual harassment and poor working conditions for women.
Published Dec 04, 2024 | 11:25 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 04, 2024 | 11:25 AM
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (@ShyamSPrasad)
Two days after establishing an Internal Committee (IC) under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act on 2 December, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has put the 11-member committee on hold.
Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) President Kavitha Lankesh, who is also a director and producer, was appointed as the head of the Internal Committee under the PoSH Act on 30 November. The KFCC officially announced the formation of the IC on 2 December.
The film chamber cited the election code of conduct for the upcoming KFCC elections, scheduled for 14 December as the reason for temporarily withholding the committee. However, sources within the film chamber revealed that several KFCC members, including women, are strongly opposing the formation of the IC.
The demand for setting up an IC under the PoSH Act gained momentum in Karnataka following the release of the Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry, which exposed the prevalence of sexual harassment and poor working conditions for women.
The establishment of the IC is largely attributed to the persistent efforts by FIRE and Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSCW) Chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary, who pressured the KFCC into taking action to address sexual harassment complaints.
The KFCC has clarified that it is not against the formation of an IC under the PoSH Act but has decided to proceed with setting up the committee only after the film chamber elections are concluded.
Meanwhile, Lankesh told South First that the PoSH panel could be established solely through a government order, without requiring the involvement of the film chamber.
Following its decision to put the IC on hold, the KFCC found itself at the centre of a controversy.
The committee was the result of the members of FIRE meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and urging him to ensure the safety of women in the Kannada film industry by setting up a PoSH committee, in the wake of the release of the Hema Committee report.
Responding to them, Siddaramaiah directed State Women’s Commissioner Chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary to look into the matter.
Following the chief minister’s directions, Choudhary demanded to set up a PoSH panel in the Kannada Film Industry in August this year.
Further, the Women’s Commission issued a 15-day deadline for the film chamber to set up the PoSH panel, by 16 September. After the film chamber failed to form the committee even after extending the timeline, Choudhary escalated the matter to the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commission G Jagadeesha on 28 November.
Against the backdrop of these developments, the film chamber decided to form an 11-member PoSH panel under the headship of renowned film director and producer Kavitha Lankesh on 30 November.
The other 10 members of the committee include the KFCC President, who will be a permanent member, actors Pramila Joshai, Sruthi Hariharan, journalist Muralidhar Khajane, Advocate Rajalakshmi Ankalagi, Women Rights Activist Vimala KS, producer NM Suresh, theatre expert Shashikanth Y and producer Sa Ra Govindu.
The film chamber made the official announcement about the formation of the Internal Committee on 2 December. However, the film chamber differed in its decision, pointing towards the upcoming KFCC elections.
Even though the film chamber has claimed that the PoSH panel has been put on hold due to the upcoming KFCC elections on 14 December, sources suggested that this decision is also fuelled by opposition to the panel not only from male members of the film chamber but also from some female members.
Kannada Film Producers Association President Umesh Bankar, also a member of the KFCC, told South First, “We were unaware of the PoSH Act and its guidelines initially. The Film Chamber, which is the parent organisation for the entire Kannada Film Industry, has not received any complaints so far.”
“Even other associations or organisations related to Kannada cinema have not reported any sexual harassment complaints. There hasn’t been a single police complaint regarding harassment in the film industry.”
“For the past few years, the Kannada Film Industry has not encountered such issues. The last incident/complaint was between actors Shruti Hariharan and Arjun Sarja,” added Banakar.
“We were later informed that setting up an Internal Committee (IC) under the PoSH Act is mandatory, and we are ready to comply. However, with the upcoming elections, we are fully occupied with poll-related tasks and ongoing legal cases,” clarified Banakar.
“The KFCC elections are scheduled for 14 December, and a new committee will take charge after the polls. To set up the PoSH committee, we need to include senior members and heads of various sub-organisations, which requires time and planning. Forming the committee immediately is not feasible,” he said.
“We want to make it clear that the KFCC is not against establishing the PoSH committee. However, some members including women strongly oppose it. Rolling out this committee requires a phased approach, as it is impossible to do everything at once,” added Banakar.
“After the elections, we will conduct detailed deliberations with senior members of the film chamber and the industry before making a final decision on forming the PoSH committee,” Banakar said and reiterated that the film chamber would roll out the PoSH panel soon after the KFCC elections.
In a conversation with South First, Lankesh said: “The PoSH panel can be established solely through a government order, without requiring the involvement of the film chamber.”
“However, we chose to involve the chamber because it’s an official body,” she explained.
On the film chamber staying the PoSH committee, Lankesh said: “I wouldn’t necessarily call this a development; rather, I would describe it as deterioration. Initially, I was hesitant to take on the role of chairperson, but the chamber was in favour, and FIRE also wanted me to lead. That’s why I agreed.”
“Our intention was clear, and we formed a committee comprising individuals who have long been advocates for women’s rights and equality, like Vimala and Rajalakshmi Ankalagi,” she said.
“We wanted members who were unbiased and could fairly address any grievances. The committee also included people like Mallu Kumbar, who is a transgender. We made sure to represent everyone.” Lankesh added.
“NM Suresh faced a lot of opposition from within the film chamber itself. Now that he has resigned and elections are coming up, they’ve stated they can’t make any decisions regarding the PoSH panel at this moment. But, in reality, the code of conduct has no bearing on this matter,” she clarified.
Lankesh expressed concern about the likely opposition, calling it disappointing, “The well-being of women and minorities should be approached with a positive, supportive mindset. We have decided to wait until 15 December, after the election results are announced, before deciding on the next course of action.”
“We’re not looking to create conflict. Our goal is to do good work. We’ll hold off until the election process concludes,” said the FIRE president.
Meanwhile, the KSCW issued a stern warning to the KFCC over its decision to put the IC under the PoSH Act on hold.
KSCW Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary made it clear that any failure to act on this matter after the elections could lead to serious legal consequences, including the cancellation of KFCC’s registration.
Choudhary, who played a pivotal role in compelling the KFCC to announce the 11-member PoSH committee after three months of sustained efforts, expressed her frustration at the decision to delay the panel’s implementation due to the 14 December elections.
Emphasising that the film chamber is legally bound to constitute the committee, Choudhary told South First: “The KFCC has already constituted the PoSH panel and formed a good committee as per the mandates of the Act.”
“However, I understand that some members of the chamber objected to the president proceeding with its work due to the election code of conduct,” said Choudhary.
Choudhary warned that non-compliance post-elections would result in severe repercussions. “If they fail to comply, the KFCC’s registration will be cancelled as this is a serious matter. Even the Deputy Commissioner has the authority to initiate criminal action and terminate their registration,” she noted.
When asked about the challenges in convincing the KFCC to set up the PoSH committee, Choudhary revealed significant resistance from members, including some women.
“It is disheartening that certain women in the film chamber openly opposed the formation of the PoSH panel. Although the film chamber is ready to comply, it is clear that some members are opposing it,” she said.
“The PoSH committee must be established by the film chamber. I feel that they are buying some more time. Let them take it and come up with a PoSH committee,” Choudhary added.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
