FTII students end 139-day old strike

Pune: Students of Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) withdrew their 139-day-old strike against the NDA government’s decision to appoint TV artiste Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman. The students, however, made it clear that their protest will continue. 

Hours after the FTII Students' Association (FSA) announced withdrawal of the strike and decided to attend classes, around a dozen filmmakers in Mumbai decided to return their national awards. 

“The students have taken a collective decision to go back to academics with immediate effect in the best interest of the fraternity,” said FSA spokesperson Vikas



Urs. He ruled out any “proactive engagement” with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the issue.

“Now, it goes beyond the five appointments, that of Chauhan and four FTII society members, which we had questioned. The right-wing attitude is exposed and we know who is running the country,” the students said, apparently targeting the BJP’s ideological mentor the RSS and other Sangh Parivar outfits. 

Chauhan on Wednesday welcomed the students’ decision and invited them for talks. “I again appeal to the FTII students to come and talk to me, we can resolve issues,” he said.