Bengaluru: The Kannada film industry found itself in the midst of controversy on Monday when the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced the formation of a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee, only to retract the decision later in the day.
This move came after an order from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, which urged the film industry to set up the long-awaited committee to address sexual harassment. However, by the evening, KFCC president N M Suresh explained that the committee could not be formed due to the ongoing election process for the next KFCC president and the current code of conduct in place.
"The election date for the next KFCC president has been announced, and a code of conduct is in force. That is why we could not form the committee," Suresh said.
Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, disagreed with this reasoning. "The code of conduct does not apply here," she said, pointing out that the committee was formed in line with the law, which mandates the inclusion of 50% women members, an advocate, senior members, and activists.
The committee's proposed chairperson was filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh, with members including actor and producer Pramila Joshai, women’s activist K S Vimala, transgender activist Mallu Kumbar, actor Sruthi Hariharan, journalist Muralidhar Khajane, and producers N M Suresh and Sa Ra Govindu.
"The committee has to be formed. It is the law. It is every woman’s right. No one is bigger than the law. They will face consequences. Their registration can be cancelled. I don’t understand what they will lose by forming the committee," Nagalakshmi said firmly.
Kavitha Lankesh, the proposed chairperson, questioned the resistance to the committee. "What are they scared of?" she asked. "We’re looking at the larger picture and focusing on the welfare of women."
The POSH Act requires every workplace to establish a committee to address sexual harassment issues, and in the case of the film industry, the chairperson must be a senior female actor.
"Women work in many roles within the industry, from acting to departments like makeup and costumes. However, there was a heated debate in the chamber today after the committee was announced," Kavitha said.
While Nagalakshmi viewed the formation of the committee as a positive step, she expressed disappointment over the reversal. "It was a positive step, but they went back on it," she said, vowing to write to the government to take action against the chamber.
The issue remains unresolved, as the fight for the protection of women’s rights in the industry continues.
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