Filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh reacts to PoSH Panel formation: I hope the committee members are gender sensitive

Days after finally forming an internal committee (IC) as per the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, 2013, a long-standing demand, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is all set to reconstitute the committee as the present seven-member committee violates the norm that prescribes that at least half of its members must be women. Presently, there is only one woman.

The Karnataka State Commission for Women had directed the KFCC in September 2024 to constitute an IC under the PoSH Act, in the aftermath of the Hema Committee’s report that looked at sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry was made public. 

Presently, the committee includes newly appointed KFCC president M. Narasimhulu and secretary M.N. Kumar, former KFCC chairman N.M. Suresh, film producer Sa.Ra. Govindu, director Naganna, actor Anitarani, and a member from the NGO Annapoorna.

Mr. Narasimhulu said the chamber would add women members to the panel to adhere to the 50% rule. “I will look into this issue and make the necessary additions in the panel on Monday,” he said.

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Filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh, also the president of the association Film Industry For Rights and Equality (FIRE), was at the forefront of the demand for a PoSH panel within the KFCC. “After being non-existent for several years, an internal committee is finally formed and I am quite happy about it,” she told The Hindu. “I hope all the members are gender sensitive. The purpose of the PoSH panel is served if at least some of its members are part of groups that have fought gender sensitive issues,” she added.

The FIRE Committee, along with the women’s commission, had submitted a list of 17 demands concerning the working conditions of women in the film industry. Ms. Lankesh said the PoSH panel must focus on being accessible to artists, especially newcomers. “How can artists contact the panel? Will they announce a helpline number? This is something that’s not yet clear. I hope, despite the panel being formed, the victim does not have to compromise her rights,” she said.