Groups rally behind agitating FTII students

Various associations on Saturday held a protest rally in front of the Town Hall to express solidarity with the students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, who are protesting the appointment of television actor Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of FTII’s governing body. The protest by the students of the film training institute entered the 100th day on Saturday.

Surendra Rao, general secretary of Saturday group, urged the NDA government to withdraw the appointment and ensure sanctity of the FTII.

 “Chauhan falls far short of the qualifications needed for such a prestigious post. Chauhan has been appointed only because of his proximity to the ruling BJP,” he said.

The FTII is one of the reputed institutions at the global level. The BJP has appointed RSS man Chauhan only to push its agenda.

Chauhan lacks eligibility and qualification to head such a reputed institute, he said. Abhay Simha, film director and past student of FTII, said that the government had not responded to the stir though it entered the 100th day and that the government’s silence was a mockery of democracy.

“The previous chairpersons and the students of the FTII have contributed tremendously to the art and culture of the nation. The BJP is trying to spoil the atmosphere by appointing an RSS man to the coveted post. Any democratically elected government should hold talks with the protestors, but the government has not held any talks with the protesting FTII students. The government is trying to curb the protest,” he said. A large number of students from Chitrakala Parishat, members of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, DYFI and other associations participated in the rally.