The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has decided to open a channel of talks with the striking students of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) here.
Addressing a press conference, FTII Director D.J. Narain said the I&B Ministry had received a letter sent by the FTII student council on June 15.
In a letter to the FTII, the Ministry said it believed that the institute was an important institution which needed to be strengthened. The academic environment and discipline at the institute needed to be fully restored, said the letter.
While the Ministry urged students to resume classes, it clearly set forth that the Government of India could exercise its prerogative to appoint members to the governing council after taking all facts into consideration.
The letter said the government was fully conscious of the fact that the credibility of the FTII should be strengthened by the quality of its governance and training.
The students, however, refused to call off the strike till Gajendra Chauhan’s appointment as chairman of the governing council of the institute was rescinded.
“We appreciate the I&B Ministry’s response but we would not attend classes until Mr. Chauhan’s appointment is cancelled,” said Harishankar Nachimuthu, president of the student association.
