Information and Broadcasting Ministry Officials to Hold Talks With FTII

Students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) met secretary of the ministry, Sunil Arora, for the third time in Mumbai. Besides calling for the annulment of the appointment of Mr. Chauhan as chairman and other members of the institute perceived close to the Sangh Parivar, the students demanded a review of the existing system of appointments, based on transparency. However, the meeting remained inconclusive and it was made a decision to meet again on October 10.

Apart from the Secretary, the Ministry was represented by Joint Secretary (Films) K Sanjay Murthy; Films Division director general Mukesh Sharma; FTII director Prashant Pathrabe and FTII registrar U C Bodke. We have briefed him on the issues that led to the crisis, but the ministry is yet to come up with a solution for that. These discussions rallied around the transition of the institute to one of national importance and the need to overhaul the institute’s infrastructure.

“When we would have the next round of talks, these demands would be on top of the agenda”, he said.

FTII students, on strike for over 100 days, on Wednesday failed to reach a conclusion in the third meeting with information and broadcasting ministry officials. According to a joint statement issued by the ministry and the students, the ministry has directed the students and Aruna Raje, an FTII alumni who was called in as an observer of the interactions, to submit a “concept note or blueprint” within a fortnight on turning the institute into a centre of national excellence. Another round of talks in a bid to end the impasse will be held on Saturday.

An I&B Ministry-appointed committee had visited FTII’s Pune campus on 21 August and held discussions with students, faculty members and the alumni association.

While the students, who have been boycotting classes since 12 June, are demanding Chauhan’s removal, the ministry has firmly backed his appointment.

The agitating students had earlier called off their 18-day-old relay hunger strike on 27 September.