After 20 days of their >agitation against the appointment of TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, the students have received a communication from the I&B Ministry inviting them for talks on July 3.
“We received an official confirmation of our appointment on July 3 in Delhi last evening, through a communication addressed to D.J.Narain, Director of Film and Television Institute of India, from joint secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ministry,” a spokesman of the FTII Students’ Association (FSA) said.
The students have been boycotting classes, abandoning academic work in protest against the appointment of Mr. Chauhan, who they allege lacks “stature and vision” to head the premiere institution, which is expected to give new direction to Indian cinema.
“The delegation comprising seven alumni and three current students will be led by Mr. Girish Kasarwally and a decision on continuing or withdrawing the strike will be based on the proceedings at the proposed meeting with the ministry,” the spokesman said.
Asked whether the students would be suggesting any particular name to head the council, he said, “We do not have anyone in mind. But, we insist that the person selected for the post should be without political bias.”
Mr. Chauhan’s affiliation with the ruling BJP has been in the focus of the students’ association, which had alleged that his appointment appeared “politically coloured” as he had no requisite academic and artistic excellence.
While demanding a transparent process of appointments in the FTII, protesting students also indicated that they were equally firm on their demand of dissolution of FTII society since its members allegedly had no “artistic credibility”.
“We are optimistic about our talks and a positive response from the Ministry,” the spokesman added.
