The agitation at the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) took a new turn on Saturday with a contract faculty going on a fast demanding a resolution of the crisis and resuming of academic activities.
The contract faculty of Art Direction, Prof Abhijit Das went on a self-declared fast since 9 am. The FTII administration has informed the local police station in Pune for appropriate action.
“The fast was started without notice or permission for undertaking such an activity. As soon as we came to know this from the institute’s side I had sent the Acting Dean (Films) Prof Indranil Bhattacharya and HoD Art Direction Prof Ashutosh Kavishwarm who spoke to him in person and asked him to reconsider his step and told him that this was not the proper way to resolve the crisis,” FTII Director Prashant Pathrabe said.
“We have informed the police station and the doctors to take the necessary steps required in this respect,” he added. For close to three months, the students have been on strike and boycotting classes over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan.
