Noted Dhrupad Sansthan in the State Capital is under scanner over charges of sexual harassment against two of its famed gurus-late Ramakant Gundecha and Akhilesh Gundecha.
Dhrupad Sansthan, Bhopal has got accreditation by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee in 2010 and takes pride in carrying on with the ancient Guru-Shishya parampara. However, the sexual harassment row kicked off on Sep 2, following a Facebook post put up by a group ‘Dhrupad Family Europe’ that complained about alleged harassment at the sansthan by two gurus for years.
The post is put up by an Amsterdam-based yoga teacher who has claimed that she has highlighted the complaint on behalf of her friend who did not wish to come to public platform but wanted to highlight the happenings at the Gurukul. The post however did not tag the complaint with any evidence. However, the matter is keenly debated in the music field since the letter went viral.
Ramakant, one from the famous pair had died last year while Umakant Gundecha now heads the Gurukul based in Bhopal’s outskirts. Also accused in the complaint, Akhilesh is their brother and a Pakhawaj player and is actively involved in the Gurukul.
The complainant has urged Umakant Gundecha and Dhrupad followers to stay united and clear the atmosphere at the gurukul and also sought Akhilesh Gundecha’s resignation.
The sansthan including the head Umakant Gundecha are maintaining distance from the media after the complaint went viral but the gurukul chief did issue a statement claiming an internal committee has been formed to look into the matter.
“The committee shall look into the allegations levelled against Akhilesh Gundecha, and until the committee submits its report, without averting to the merits of the allegations, Akhilesh Gundecha has voluntarily recused himself from all the activities of Dhrupad Sansthan.”
The committee would strive to deliver justice without prejudice, and, A safe environment and impartial teaching have always been the paramount concern at Dhrupad Sansthan, said the communique.
The man in question, Akhilesh Gundecha also normally takes care of media interaction of the organisation, has switched off his cell phone and sansthan head Umakant Gundecha too could not be reached for comments on the matter.