SRFTI row: Shah’s remarks divide film fraternity

Kolkata: The debate over the accusations made by veteran Naseeruddin Shah against the SRFTI administration refused to die down on Sunday. While actor and former FTTI chairman Gajendra Chauhan questioned Shah’s “one-sided” perspective on social media, director and SRFTI alumnus Kanu Behl supported the students. Meanwhile, the exterior walls of SRFTI remain defaced with slogans against constitutional authorities.Institute sources said a factual report has been shared by SRFTI with concerned authorities regarding the defacement of the wall, damage to the govt property including official portrait of the constitutional authority and derogatory slogans against the highest authorities in the govt. However, no one has taken onus or been identified for writing the slogans.Students addressed the media, where they called for halting saffronisation, privatisation, militarisation, and surveillance of educational campuses while ensuring student safety, democratic spaces, and regular student union elections. They also called for an end to violence and intimidation by RSS-affiliated forces. SRFTI registrar Deepak Kumar said, “Shubham Waydande, who addressed the media, is a 20th batch editing student. The Dean Council recommended his rustication for three consecutive semesters with immediate effect under Clause 3.3.5 of the Academic Bye-Laws, citing personal abuse, heckling, intimidation and physical assault on the VC. The Council also took note of earlier pending disciplinary proceedings concerning damage to institute property. Those criticising the administration should first get verified information about the charges against Shubham before supporting him,” Kumar said.On Sunday, Chauhan reacted to Shah’s description of BJP as a “bloody jhooti party”. “A party that has been in the office for the last 12-13 years, you called it a ‘bloody jhooti party’. You should be ashamed,” said Chauhan. In June 2015, the I&B ministry had appointed Chauhan as the FTII chairman. His stint was marked by a 139-day strike by students. The strike had ended in Oct 2015 without the govt revoking the appointment. Chauhan eventually completed his term in March 2017. Chauhan said if there is a strike in SRFTI, the administration there will look into it. “There are capable people sitting there. It is a student’s right to protest, but there is no result to protest unless you sit together and talk. You should advise the students, instead of criticising the govt,” he told an agency.Following in the lines of Shah’s solidarity video, Behl, the director of “Titli” and “Agra”, released a video statement where he described “the violence against the students” as “reprehensible”. “I feel deeply concerned. Students are being beaten up, apparently and allegedly by right-wing goons and what is even more concerning and what is more concerning is that students are being asked to vacate the premises and forcibly attend classes. This should not be a part of the larger democratic process. I urge govt and the people concerned to look into it immediately and make sure that the students remain safe and a creative environment is created for them,” Behl said. Reacting to Behl’s appeal, the VC said: “There are gross violations by students maligning the entire meaning of peaceful protest. It’s no more a peaceful protest. The real photos and videos of the vandalism, intimidation and verbal abuse are being recorded and are available with the institute. Authorities of repute, therefore, should behave responsibly understanding both sides and mediate to resolve the issue than to instigate. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students.”You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.