FTII students end their strike after 139 days

 

 

Pune: The students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) who were protesting for last 139 days demanding the removal of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman on Wednesday called off their protest, but vowed to continue it at various levels.

 

"We are ending our strike but our protest will continue at various levels", FTII student Rakesh Shukla , told the media on Wednesday.

 

"The success of our agitation lies in the fact that we took our concerns to common citizens. Filmmakers, artists and others should now take our battle ahead," he added.

 

The students also pointed out that they have decided to attend classes but they won't engage in any talks with government officials.

 

"We will take this struggle to another level. We will join classes, but our battle will continue. We are planning a bigger battle," another student said.

 

The students also said that they would be continuing the protest but in a silent manner.

 

The students have been opposing the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan and four others to the governing council of FTII, branding them propagandists for the BJP government.

 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had repeatedly snubbed the students by backing Chauhan.

 

The students started their strike on June 12 to protest against the appointments of Chauhan as chairperson and the appointments of four members to the FTII society.