FTII students warn of indefinite strike

FTII students, agitating against actor Gajendra Chouhan’s appointment, on Monday resolved to carry on their protest indefinitely as the Narendra Modi government came under fresh attack over the nomination which was dubbed as “political” and an “assault” on the prestigious institute.

As the agitation entered the fourth day, students said though they have kept open the channels for dialogue with I&B Ministry they would not compromise on their basic demand of removal of Chauhan as the new chairman of FTII’s governing council. Harishankar Nachimuthu, president of the FTII students’ association spearheading the strike, said, “We have today sent an official letter addressed to I&B Minister Arun Jaitley through FTII Director D Naraine, voicing our demand and concerns but there was no response.” 

The students’ representatives said, “The strike will continue indefinitely till our demand is met and there will not be any compromise on the issue of appointment of Chauhan.” Students bodies from different universities – including JNU in Delhi and SRFTI in Kolkata as well as IIT-Madras – have extended their support to the FTII strike, they claimed. They alleged that Chauhan’s appointment was a political one.