Central team reaches FTII to bring down the protest

By NewsGram Staff Writer

A three-member central team arrived in Pune yesterday to analyze the situation and to bring down the students' strike at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). The strike has been going on since the last 70 days, against the appointment of TV actor turned BJP politician Gajendra Chauhan as the institute's chairman and his political affiliation.

The team is formed by Information & Broadcasting Ministry and was sent to Pune after the midnight arrest of institute's five students. Heading the team, SM Khan on his arrival said that they will make all efforts required to calm down the students and bring down the protest.

Khan insisted on meeting the students, faculty and director for discussion. However, he denied to comment on the arrests and also added that the director is under no pressure from the government. There was a round of rumour that the FTII director Prashant Pathrabe has gone on leave, but amid that he was seen making arrangements for the central team's visit.

Recalling the incident, Pathrabe said that the students had harassed and humiliated him when he called students for a discussion. He said, "I invited 4 students to my office, but around 40 students came in group. I patiently listened to them for 3 hours, but when I asked to leave they restricted and tortured me." Students on the other hand, said that the director is under pressure from the centre to act. Faculties of the institute were seen supporting the students.