FTII students delegation calls on Kejriwal

New Delhi, Aug 4: A delegation of FTII students from Pune protesting against the appointment of BJP leader and TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as institute's Chairman, today met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the issue.

"Our meeting with Kejriwal was very brief as he just wanted to know the issue. We told him entire appointment row and we are hopeful that the issue will be taken forward by him in best possible way. He has not assured us anything yet as it was first interaction with us," secretary of the FTII Students Association, Vikas Urs said.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Kejriwal told the delegation that he was with them on the issue. He also inquired on other aspects of FTII and the ongoing strike of the students, sources said.

"We are in Delhi for next two days, yesterday we held a protest at Jantar Mantar and we gained strong supports from various organization, students and filmmakers. Even some members of parliament came to meet us so we will further network with them and will attempt to communicate with people in Delhi at a larger level," Urs said.

Student delegation said that their demand from government for last 55 days is to change the appointment of Chauhan as he was selected through a wrong process.

Students have suggested government to form a committee of bureaucrats, film academician and film makers who will decide the rule of FTII's society.

"After yesterday's protest Joint Secretary has informed us that he will try to get an interaction with the minister in near future. We are hopeful that when we are in Delhi we will get an opportunity to meet the minister," Urs said.

Student delegation claimed that they have come to Delhi to resolve this problem.

"We want this to be a fair process of how democracy helps us in communicating with everyone," delegation said.

The students have been demanding dissolution of the current FTII Society and that it be kept in abeyance. They have also demanded formation of a committee, with bureaucrats, filmmakers and academicians as its members, to frame rules and guidelines for setting up a new society.

Yesterday around 100 students had gathered at Jantar Mantar with placards and shouted slogans against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as the institute's chief.

PTI