Backing students' demands, FTII member Pallavi Joshi resigns

Pune, Jul 6: Noted actress Pallavi Joshi has resigned as member of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society in support of the striking students' demands that include revoking appointment of TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of governing council.

"There is no point in continuing as member of the FTII Society if the students with whom I wanted to interact as future prospects of the film industry, are unhappy," she told PTI.

Describing her decision as a "principled stand", Joshi, recently nominated to the FTII Society by government, said she had sent her letter dissociating herself from the body three days back. [B-Town stars bat for students in FTII row; 'Yudhisthir' Gajendra Chauhan cornered]

Asked if she would reconsider her decision if requested by the authorities, the actress said, "I am firm on my stand supporting the students' demands".

"I do not want to see the students of this premiere institute joining the film industry with half-baked knowledge," she added.

Meanwhile, the students' continued their strike, boycotting academic work for the 25th day today after failure of their talks with I and B minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on July 3. [FTII students protest against I&B Ministry on Gajendra Chauhan's appointment]

While welcoming the ministry's assurance of upgrading the institute, the FTII students' association (FSA) has declared that the strike will continue till their main demand for removal of Chauhan--who they allege lacks vision and stature to head FTII--and reconstitution of the FTII Society is accepted.

PTI