Students call off FTII strike, say fight to continue

The students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) called off their 139-daylong strike on Wednesday, saying they will continue to protest until the government revokes what they termed the “political appointments” of Gajendra Chauhan and four others.

The FTII student association said they have decided to return to academics. “We are returning to academics from today itself. However we will continue to raise issues which we have been raising since 139 days,” said Vikas Urs, representative of the FTII students association.

According to the students, they will continue their protest through art and cinema. “We will call upon artist, academicians and common citizens to take our voice forward,” said Urs.

The students were on strike since June 12 to oppose the appointment of Chauhan, a television actor-turned-politician, as FTII chairman. The

students accused Chauhan of lacking “stature” and “vision”. The students also opposed the appointments of Anagha Ghaisas, Narendra Pathak, Rahul Solapurkar, Shailesh Gupta and Pranjal Saikia, claiming that they are associated with the RSS and its affiliated organisations.

Chauhan welcomed the students’ decision. “I am happy that students have called off their strike. I am planning to visit FTII soon to understand the issues there and work on them as the chairman,” Chauhan told HT.

CONTINUED ON P8

RELATED REPORTS, P10

PTI PHOTO FTII students address the media after calling off the 139-day strike on Wednesday.