Centre threatened to close down the film institute
BJP's Madhav Bhandari played an important role in backroom negotiations with students
Mumbai/New Delhi: The FTII students have called off their strike against Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the institute after 139 days on Wednesday.
According to sources, the students were pushed to the wall because of two factors — the government even threatening to close down the institute and growing fissures among the protesting students.
A source close the ongoing negotiations informed that BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari played an important role in backroom negotiations with students. At the same time, the students were given indication that the government will not hesitate to shift the FTII from Pune or even shut it, but will not give in to their demand to remove Mr Chauhan.
Vikas Urs, leader of FTII Students Association said, “We are calling off the strike in the best interests of the students and returning to academics with immediate effect. Our protest will continue and our demand for resolution of the appointments issue.”