The fascist forces that have taken over the country are not interested in power, but are aiming at getting a stranglehold on the culture and history of the country, writer Zachariah has said.
He was speaking at a protest organised here on Saturday by the delegates of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) in solidarity with the striking students of the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.
“Our democracy has never faced a greater threat than it is facing now. But many, including some of our intellectuals, have not realised it. This is just the beginning of the fascist rule. Their real aim is not power, but a systematic poisoning of our minds through manipulation of culture and history. The FTII is just a link in the long line of fascist takeover of our institutions,” Mr. Zachariah said.
He said that there was no ‘separate’ struggle for the FTII. It had to be part of a bigger struggle against such tendencies in all spheres across the country.
“Unfortunately, there is not much light at the end of the tunnel. When the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle issue happened at IIT Madras, it was solved because it was a Dalit issue. The government took a step back because of this. But in the case of the FTII, they have branded these students Maoists. That makes it all the more tougher to find a solution,” he said.
Cinematographer Sunny Joseph, editor and former director of the IFFK Bina Paul, and others spoke. A large number of current and former students of the institute gathered in solidarity.