FTII Strike Day 50: Political bigwigs promise to raise issue in Parliament

As students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) get ready to take their protest against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of the governing council to Delhi, they received the support of Rahul Gandhi (vice president, Indian National Congress) on Friday. Gandhi who visited the campus met the students and headed to the main theatre, where there were film screenings of noted Marathi actor/director and former FTII student, Umesh Kulkarni’s Girni, a film on Prabhat theatre and a documentary on FTII’s first convocation.
Gandhi assured the students of his support and addressed a packed audience of more than 250-students, ex-students and faculty members who had gathered in the auditorium. “He has assured us that he is with the students. He also engaged in a discussion with the students to understand the issue that we are fighting for,” shared Aritra Sarkar, a student who was present for the interaction.
Students at the campus feel that their protest will gather momentum now with the support of prominent political bigwigs. Vikas Urs, the student representative of FTII said, “We will be going to the capital on August 3 as per our plan. However, the support of Rahul Gandhi has given the protests a lot more validation.” Though police permission is yet to come, the march will begin from Jantar Mantar at 2 pm on August 3. Many MPs and politicians are also expected to join in.”
READ: FTII students approach DU students to support their protest march in the capital
Addressing the media, Gandhi said, “The government will not be small if they encourage a discussion with the students of the institute. The FTII students have made the government proud at various levels and they will be doing so always. Also, the students have been doing their job quite well and doing what they are supposed to do — studying. The government should not try and impose their rules on the students. I shall raise this issue in the Parliament.”
Speaking about the students being anti-national and anti-Hindu, Gandhi said, “How can one call them anti-national, when they have been making films for so many years. The education system should not be privatised in any way.” Also present with Gandhi were actors Raj Babbar, Chiranjeevi, Ramya and Khushboo.
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