Chennai: Following sexual harassment allegations against some Carnatic musicians, the Federation of City Sabhas, Chennai has constituted an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) comprising five members headed by a woman to look into the allegations.
The panel comprises of lawyer Uma Ramanathan, Carnatic musician Sudha Raghunathan, medical professional Dr B Vivekanand, director of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation Dr Thara. There will be an ex-officio nominee of the Federation in the ICC.
The ICC will be assisted by an Executive Officer who will be a qualified Lawyer working in this sphere. Mohan Parasaran, senior advocate, Supreme Court of India, will be an advisor to the Federation in this matter.
In a press release, the federation said, “We note with a deep sense of anguish the recent complaints of sexual harassment from the field of performing arts. Such acts of harassment are shameful and condemnable. In compliance with the guidelines framed by the Supreme Court of India and in accordance with statutes including the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Federation of City Sabhas has constituted an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Any complaint received concerning any performing artiste in the field of music, dance or drama or regarding any other persons involved in the performing arts field, shall be duly considered in accordance with law by being placed before the committee.”
The federation and its members will maintain absolutely zero tolerance for any form of harassment in the art field. All allegations will be treated seriously and promptly investigated. “The Federation is also prepared to take appropriate disciplinary action as necessary.”
Complaints can be forwarded to the Executive Officer at [email protected]. The federation is supported in this endeavor by some of the citys oldest Sabhas who are involved in propagating the performing arts.