KFCC puts PoSH Committee on hold: Internal rift clouds progress

The Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has temporarily shelved its newly formed Internal Committee (IC) under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, just hours after its announcement on December 2. Officially, the chamber cited the upcoming KFCC elections on December 12 as the reason for the delay, but insiders point to internal opposition within the organization.

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The 11-member committee, chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh, was set up to address sexual harassment issues within the Kannada film industry. Its formation followed pressure from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, which had criticized KFCC for failing to comply with PoSH Act mandates. The Commission had recently urged the Bengaluru district administration to enforce compliance, prompting KFCC's hasty announcement.

However, KFCC backtracked within hours, stating that the committee would be finalized by newly elected office-bearers after December 14. Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary dismissed this reasoning, asserting that election codes of conduct do not apply to such measures. She expressed disappointment, noting that the committee’s proposed composition adhered to legal requirements but faced internal resistance.

Sources reveal that dissent within KFCC is the primary roadblock, with several members opposing the initiative. The Women’s Commission has given the chamber until December 14 to act, warning of further steps to ensure compliance.

The KFCC’s hesitancy underscores deeper systemic challenges in addressing workplace safety and gender equity in the industry.