Over 80 students of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII) on Monday held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the institute's Chairman on grounds of saffronisation of education. National political leaders also joined protesting students at Jantar Mantar. 

 

Actor turned politician Raj Babbar came to express solidarity with students and alleged that the Union Government was trying to saffronise all the prestigious institutions of country. Chauhan, a BJP member and known for his role of 'Yudhishtir' in popular tele-serial "Mahabharat", has refused to step down. His appointment as FTII Chairman on June 9 triggered an indefinite strike by the students on June 12.

 

"It has been more than 50 days that we have been protesting. So, our purpose of coming to Delhi is that we should be heard. We had written to leaders from various political parties requesting them to intervene and urge the Government to revoke the appointments of 'unfit' people and to set up a transparent procedure for future appointments." said a student protester.

 

The protest had the backing of different student organisations, including National Students' Union of India (NSUI). "Government is waging an ideological war against us. FTII will not bow to any political pressure. Government must initiate a dialogue," said another student. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi also participated in the protest and backed the students. They along with CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim, Rajiv Shukla(Congress), D Raja(CPI) and DP Tripathi(NCP) released a joint statement expressing their support.

 

"Their protests are rightful and Gajendra Chauhan has raised grave questions regarding the logic and process followed in the selection procedure," the statement read.