The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) here has issued notice to 30 of its students for over-staying in the institute’s hostels despite completing their courses, an official said on Friday.
“The notice was issued to the students on August 5 and, I have strictly told them to leave the institute’s hostel. If this is not done, strict action will be taken,” institute director Prashant Pathrabe said.
Mr. Pathrabe, who is also the director of the Press Information Bureau, Pune region, was on July 17 given additional charge of the institute’s director amid the indefinite strike by the students demanding the removal of the newly appointed chairman Gajendra Chauhan.
The strike that entered its 56th day on Friday has been taken to the national capital, where students are continuing with the protest.
Meanwhile, national award-winning filmmakers and actors from the Marathi industry on Friday came out in support of the striking FTII students opposing the appointment of Mr. Chauhan as chairman of the institute.
“We need a person who has a great body of work and a vision for the institute. Chauhan lacks it all and we think the students are right in their demands for revoking his appointment,” director of the national award-winning movie ‘Deool’ and FTII alumnus, Umesh Kulkarni, said.
Shiv Sena politician-turned-director Abhijit Panse said there was a delay in coming together because everybody thought that the decision would be revoked, but with the government sticking to its decision, they were forced to unite and protest. He demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra Vinod Tawde intervene to resolve the matter.
