<p>Bengaluru: The Kannada film industry on Monday woke up to the news of the formation of a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee, but by evening, it had put the decision on hold.</p>.<p>Following an order from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) formed a long overdue committee to check sexual harassment in the film industry.</p>.<p>“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,” N M Suresh, current president of KFCC, told DH. </p>.Revisit POSH provisions for HEIs.<p>Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, chairperson of the Karnataka state commission for women, is unconvinced. “The code of conduct does not apply here,” she said.</p>.<p>“The president had formed the committee according to the mandate of having 50% women members, an advocate, senior members and activists. Everything was right,” she added. </p>.<p>A KFCC press release on Monday named filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh as the chairperson. 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 were listed as members.</p>.<p>“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.</p>.<p>“What are they scared of,” Kavitha wondered. “We’re looking at a larger picture. We’re looking at the welfare of women”. </p>.<p>According to the POSH Act, every workplace must establish a committee to address problems of sexual harassment. In case of the film chamber, a senior woman actor has to be appointed chairperson.</p>.<p>“There are so many women working in the industry, not just as actors but also in departments like makeup and costumes. But there was a huge fight in the chamber today after the committee was formed,” said Kavitha. </p>.<p>“It was a positive step, but they went back on it,” Nagalakshmi said, adding that she would write to the government to act against the chamber.</p>.<p>“What are they scared of,” Kavitha wondered. “We’re looking at a larger picture. We’re looking at the welfare of women”. </p>.<p>According to the POSH Act, every workplace must establish a committee to address problems of sexual harassment. In case of the film chamber, a senior woman actor has to be appointed chairperson.</p>.<p>“There are so many women working in the industry, not just as actors but also in departments like makeup and costumes. But there was a huge fight in the chamber today after the committee was formed,” said Kavitha. </p>.<p>“It was a positive step, but they went back on it,” Nagalakshmi said, adding that she would write to the government to act against the chamber.</p>.<p>Quote - The code of conduct does not apply here. The president had formed the committee according to the mandate of having 50% women members an advocate senior members and activists. Everything was right. - Nagalakshmi Chowdhary chairperson Karnataka state commission for women </p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Kannada film industry on Monday woke up to the news of the formation of a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee, but by evening, it had put the decision on hold.</p>.<p>Following an order from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) formed a long overdue committee to check sexual harassment in the film industry.</p>.<p>“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,” N M Suresh, current president of KFCC, told DH. </p>.Revisit POSH provisions for HEIs.<p>Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, chairperson of the Karnataka state commission for women, is unconvinced. “The code of conduct does not apply here,” she said.</p>.<p>“The president had formed the committee according to the mandate of having 50% women members, an advocate, senior members and activists. Everything was right,” she added. </p>.<p>A KFCC press release on Monday named filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh as the chairperson. 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 were listed as members.</p>.<p>“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.</p>.<p>“What are they scared of,” Kavitha wondered. “We’re looking at a larger picture. We’re looking at the welfare of women”. </p>.<p>According to the POSH Act, every workplace must establish a committee to address problems of sexual harassment. In case of the film chamber, a senior woman actor has to be appointed chairperson.</p>.<p>“There are so many women working in the industry, not just as actors but also in departments like makeup and costumes. But there was a huge fight in the chamber today after the committee was formed,” said Kavitha. </p>.<p>“It was a positive step, but they went back on it,” Nagalakshmi said, adding that she would write to the government to act against the chamber.</p>.<p>“What are they scared of,” Kavitha wondered. “We’re looking at a larger picture. We’re looking at the welfare of women”. </p>.<p>According to the POSH Act, every workplace must establish a committee to address problems of sexual harassment. In case of the film chamber, a senior woman actor has to be appointed chairperson.</p>.<p>“There are so many women working in the industry, not just as actors but also in departments like makeup and costumes. But there was a huge fight in the chamber today after the committee was formed,” said Kavitha. </p>.<p>“It was a positive step, but they went back on it,” Nagalakshmi said, adding that she would write to the government to act against the chamber.</p>.<p>Quote - The code of conduct does not apply here. The president had formed the committee according to the mandate of having 50% women members an advocate senior members and activists. Everything was right. - Nagalakshmi Chowdhary chairperson Karnataka state commission for women </p>