AAP's youth wing backs FTII students' protest

Mumbai, Jun 15: The AAP today extended support to FTII students protesting against the appointment of TV actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as the new chairman of the premier institute's governing council.

Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS)- AAP's student and youth wing openly came out in support of agitating FTII students and will participate in protests, a release said.

"The government nominated Chauhan despite being no dearth of luminary filmmakers of international repute in the industry. Any autonomous professional educational institution needs meritocracy in its faculty and administration to ensure standards of global quality and must be essentially bereft of petty politics and narrow-minded world views.

"The FTII Chairperson's position was formerly held by legends like Girish Karnad, Shyam Benegal and Ananthamurthy, naturally giving rise to expectations," the release said.

"Moreover, individuals like Anagha Ghaisas, Rahul Solapurkar have been nominated to the institute's apex governing body. These individuals have openly endorsed 'Sangh ideology' and their latest statements run contrary to freedom of expression and its related freedom of unhindered and unconstrained creativity, which is essential for an institute like FTII," it added.

"Since the Modi government's ascent to power, RSS-affiliated organisations and individuals have begun pursuing their agenda through tacit support from the government. AAP will not tolerate the interference of forces emanating from narrow ideologies in the country's education system," the release said.

PTI