20 FTII students lathicharged, detained for protesting against Chauhan’s visit to FTI

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jan 07, 2016: The police have detained more than 20 Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students who were protesting against the institute’S chairman Gajendra Chauhan outside the campus in Pune on Thursday.

The police also lathi-charged students after they refused to clear the way for Chauhan, who is taking charge on Thursday during his first visit to the institute after his was nominated for the post seven months ago.

Earlier, the city police served notices to 17 students of FTII warning them of strict action in case they create a law and order issue when Chauhan visits the campus on Thursday. Despite warning, students held protests and raised slogans like “Gajendra Chauhan vapis jao” (Gajendra Chauhan go back).

FTII students association representative Vikas Urs told Hindustan Times that despite police action we will continue to protests peacefully.

To avoid any trouble, the Deccan area police issued notices to 17 FTII students against whom FIRs have been filed for holding FTII director Prashant Pathrabe into captivity during their strike.

The students were on a strike for 139 days to oppose the appointment of Chauhan, saying he lacks “stature” and “vision”.

In their notice, police said action will be taken against students if they create trouble on the campus, creating law and order problem.

During his visit, Chauhan will chair the FTII society’s meeting in which members of Governing Council will be selected, said institute director Prashant Pathrabe.

“Chauhan will first take charge as the institute’s chairman and will chair the meeting of all the FTII society’s members. During the meeting, new Governing Council will be formed,” Pathrabe said.

When asked about his plans for improving the institute, Chauhan said, “I will first attend the meeting and then talk to the press. Anything I say now will be considered fake.”

Earlier, the meeting of FTII society was to be held on December 18 but had to be postponed owing to the unavailability of some members. While the 14 member Governing Council is responsible for governance, the FTII society comprising of 24 members is considered the apex body of India ‘s premier institute.