Gajendra Chouhan's appointment dubbed as 'assault' on FTII, students warn of indefinite strike

Pune: FTII students agitating against TV actor Gajendra Chouhan's appointment on Monday resolved to carry on their protest indefinitely as the 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, the students said although 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.

Talking to reporters, 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 -Chennai have extended their support to the FTII strike, they claimed.

The students have alleged that Chauhan's appointment was a political one in view of his affiliation with the ruling party.

While harping on "lack of vision and artistic competence" of Chouhan they recalled that they had not objected in the past appointment of Vinod Khanna as council chairperson despite he being a BJP MP.

"We hope to get a positive response to our formal letter to I&B minister Jaitley and we are ready for a dialogue only with the ministry and nobody else," Harishankar added.

As the students remained unrelenting in their demand, Chauhan, best known for his portrayal of Yudhisthira in the mega TV serial "Mahabharat", alleged that the protests were "politically motivated" and whipped up by someone for his own personal interest.

Regretting that questions were being raised about his capabilities without knowing him, he said he was willing to discuss the issue with the striking students.

Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue, 'Swaraj Abhiyan' leader Yogendra Yadav, who visited the institute and supported the students alleged that the NDA government does not understand the word 'autonomy' and this is not the first institution where "autonomy is being eroded" by it.

The posturing and statements of Chauhan had given rise to

"apprehension" that creative expression could be stifled in the institute during his tenure, the students alleged.

"The FTII strike is to protest the ad-hoc nature of selection and nominations of persons on the governing council which is the key decision making body of the institute. It is also to bring forward that this (Chauhan's appointment) was not a singular event and is reflecting in many such appointments across the country which includes the NFDC, CBFC and Children's film society and other premiere institutions of India, which undermines institutional autonomy and integrity," a student representative said.

Among film personalities to pledge support to their agitation was documentary-maker Anand Patwardhan, who visited the campus and said he was "glad that students stood up against increasing politicisation of institutions by current government. I know what is happening throughout the country and I am not surprised by this trend," he said.

Meanwhile, senior officials in the I&B Ministry said the letter written by students of FTII has be received and the issue will be resolved amicably and suitably.

Meanwhile, I&B sources said the ministry was considering forming a committee to resolve the issue.