FTII Students On Indefinite Strike Against New Chairman
With BJP MP Gajendra Chauhan being given the post, is it obvious that the institute is run by politicians for their gains?
It’s turbulent times at FTII. The students of the premier institute have gone on an indefinite strike. Why? Actor and BJP MP Gajendra Chauhan has been appointed as the chairman of FTII.
Did you say Gajendra Chauhan who? The actor essayed the role of Yudhishthir in Mahabharat. Yes, thats his claim to fame.
The students are of the opinion that the BJP MP is not an apt choice for such a distinguished role. After all, FTII has seen luminaries like Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Mukesh Khanna amongst others occupying the office.
Chauhans affiliation with the BJP over the years is also being perceived as a major reason why he landed the post.
The students are protesting against the Governments decision of appointing him as the chairman. One of the students had posted the message as under, which has been shared by plenty of internet users making their demonstration against the GOI more vocal on the web:
Reading the messages posted by the disgruntled students, SpotboyE.com contacted the new appointee. The actor, who will resume duties on June 16, is not perturbed by the opposition. “I think even Mr Narendra Modi faced plenty of opposition and resistance but he has proved his detractors wrong. And I will follow in his footsteps. There are several issues with the institute. My first duty is to fix those. Facilities have to be improved. We need to be at par with any other international film institute and in my tenure, I will work towards that. I have a great board of directors and we will work in tandem,” he said.
Over the past several decades, the Pune-based institute has given us exceptional talent.
We contacted them to seek their viewpoint about the issue at hand. Im sick of the politics at FTII. I dont have anything to say besides that, said actor and theatre veteran Naseeruddin Shah, one of the oldest alumni members of the institution.
Producer-writer-director Shyam Benegal, who had occupied the same office that Gajendra today occupies, said, Theres a lot that goes into appointing the board and the chairman. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has a key role to play. I dont know what will be the outcome of the strike that you are telling me about but that institution needs attention from the right kind of people.
Oscar-winning sound designer and mixer Resul Pookutty, who also graduated from FTII, sympathises with the students concerns.
FTII is looking at a big crisis. We need someone who will take care of the management of the institute and students welfare. IIT and IIM are not being messed around with but FTII is being messed around with because its directly under I&B Ministry. By appointing men from politics, the current government shows that its far from being wise, rues Resul, adding, Recently, I found out that students who had enrolled themselves for a three-year course are still there and eight years have passed.
Will the new appointment resolves these issues? The students dont think so. But is the government listening?
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