The ongoing strike by students of the Film and Television Institute of India is set to continue as parleys between them and officials of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry remained inconclusive on Tuesday. The two sides will meet again on October 1, in a bid to end the logjam over the controversial appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the premier institute.
On Sunday, protesting students called off their relay hunger strike after the I&B Ministry agreed for fresh talks. However, the talks held on Tuesday at the office of the Films Division in Mumbai, did not bring anything concrete for students. The students have been demanding the annulment of the appointment of Mr. Chauhan as chairman and other members perceived close to the Sangh. They have also called for a review of the existing system of appointments, stressing on transparency.
Vikas Urs, representative of the FTII students who attended the meeting, said the I&B officials “heard out” the students delegation, which reiterated its demands. “They said they would get back to us on October 1 as they had no mandate to take a decision,” he told
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Mr. Pathrabe said he was barred from speaking on the outcome of the talks. “All I can tell you is that we will have another round of meeting on October 1.”
Those present in the meeting however said there was a lot of progress on some issues. But would it materialised into an end to the deadlock, the Mr. Urs remained evasive. “We have no idea if the strike will come to an end soon. But we are hopeful that our concerns are kind of addressed,” Mr. Urs said.