Chennai: The sexual harassment row in Kalakshetra Foundation was raised in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today to which Chief Minister M.K.Stalin promised necessary action against those if the charges against them are proved.
Replying to a Special Call Attention motion given notice of by the members of various political parties, he said the state government will conduct a detailed probe and if the charges are proved, action will be definitely taken as per law against them, whoever they may be.
Stating that the Kalakshetra Foundation was functioning under the Union Cultural Ministry, Mr Stalin said the National Commission for Women (NCW) had on March 21 suo motu taken action based on the newspaper reports and wrote to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police asking him to take necessary action.
Following this the Foundation Director met the DGP and said there was no complaints of sexual harassment in the Institution. After this the NCW wrote another letter on March 25 to the DGP it had held an inquiry based on the newspaper report and that the probe was
completed, the Chief Minister said.
Mr Stalin said on March 29, the NCW Chairperson had visited the Foundation and held inquiries with 210 girl students.
Pointing out that no written complaint has been received by the police so far on the issue, he said at this stage, the Foundation has declared a holiday till April six for its college (Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts last night in view of students’ protest seeking justice) and directed the students to vacate the hostel within two days.
Mr Stalin said after the issue came to his attention, he spoke to the District Collector and ascertained the details. He said for further action and to collect more details, officials from
the Revenue and police departments were directed to conduct a probe.
The senior officials of the Revenue and Police department also visited the Foundation today and had been holding talks with the students and the management.
All steps were being taken to ensure the protection of the students and a police team headed by a Woman Inspector was deployed on security at the Institute, Mr Stalin said and assured that ction would be taken against those if the charges were proved.
