Bose Krishnamachari Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Complaint

“Mr. Krishnamachari’s resignation was connected with the complaint and the KBF’s Internal Committee is taking action on the complaint,” stated V. Venu, confirming the resignation of Bose Krishnamachari from the Kochi Biennale Foundation.

The resignation comes in the wake of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman who had worked under him. The incident allegedly took place on December 28, 2025, and the complaint was formally received on January 3, 2026, by the Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

In response to the allegations, Bose Krishnamachari refuted the charges, claiming they were “misleading and unsubstantiated and taken out of context.” He has initiated legal action regarding the matter.

The unnamed complainant described her experience, stating, “She felt trapped and violated and had at no point given her consent to physical contact or remarks or advances.” This highlights the seriousness of the allegations against Krishnamachari.

V. Venu also mentioned that a complaint was received with the Internal Complaints Committee under the PoSH Act, indicating the procedural steps being taken to address the issue.

Bose Krishnamachari, a co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, has played a significant role in the cultural landscape of Kochi. He served as co-curator of the first edition of the biennale in 2012, which has since become a prominent art event.

Following his resignation, Krishnamachari was appointed as the Cultural Curator of Kochi, indicating that despite the allegations, he remains a figure of influence in the art community.

It is important to note that at the time of his resignation, there was no police complaint related to the incident.

The sixth edition of the Biennale, which opened on December 12, 2025, is set to conclude on January 31, 2026, and the developments surrounding Krishnamachari’s resignation may impact the ongoing event.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in the investigation or any further actions by the Kochi Biennale Foundation.