The sudden January resignation of Kochi-Muziris Biennale co-founder Bose Krishnamachari was triggered by a formal sexual harassment complaint. Kochi Biennale Foundation Chairperson V Venu confirmed the allegations on Wednesday, exposing the statutory fallout behind the artist’s quiet departure. Under India’s Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (POSH) Act, Krishnamachari was required to step away from the premises during an internal investigation. This legal mandate forced the immediate leadership shift.
A female employee working under Krishnamachari filed the complaint on January 3. She alleged that during a work-related visit to his Fort Kochi apartment in late December 2025, he made inappropriate sexual remarks and physical advances without her consent. She described feeling trapped and violated during the encounter.
Krishnamachari initially cited “pressing family reasons” when he stepped down as president and trustee earlier this year. He has now categorically denied the accusations. He described the claims as “misleading, unverified, and taken out of context.” The artist asserts that fabricated emails are circulating to defame him and has instructed his legal team to initiate civil and criminal proceedings in Mumbai against those responsible.
The revelation casts a shadow over the ongoing sixth edition of the Biennale, a massive arts festival running until March 31. Following Krishnamachari’s exit, the foundation appointed artist Jitish Kallat as the new president to steer the event. This is not the first leadership crisis for the organization. Co-founder Riyas Komu stepped down from all management positions in 2018 following separate allegations of sexual misconduct.
The controversy is now spilling into local government. Despite his resignation from the Biennale, the Kochi Municipal Corporation appointed Krishnamachari as the city’s first Art, Design, and Cultural Curator in early March 2026. Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol addressed the mounting pressure this week. She stated the city will not make a “knee-jerk reaction” and will wait to verify the credentials of the allegations before deciding on his removal.