FTII students to end hunger strike if govt fixes meeting date

The agitating FTII students on Saturday said they would withdraw their hunger strike to pave way for a dialogue with the government if the I&B Ministry confirmed a date for talks to resolve their demands including removal of actor Gajendra Chauhan from the institute's chairmanship.

The FTII students' Association (FSA) leader Vikas Urs said, "we have responded to the Ministry's letter dated September 24, in which it requested us to withdraw (107 <g data-gr-id="14">day</g>) strike and hunger strike (17 <g data-gr-id="15">day</g>) to create a conducive environment for a dialogue. We have offered to withdraw our ongoing hunger strike if the government confirms a date and venue for the proposed meeting." 

He said the FSA had always kept the channels of communication with the government open and expressed its willingness to have a dialogue to resolve the issues raised by them, including setting up of a transparent mechanism for appointments on the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) governing body.

Meanwhile, the general strike by the students, who have been boycotting classes since June 12 entered its 107th day on Saturday as academic activity on the campus continued to be at a standstill.