[Pune]FTII Students Narrowing Their Chakravyuh Against Chairman Gajendra [Yudhishtir]Chauhan
The Modi government came under fresh attack today over the appointment of TV actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of FTTI’s governing council with the decision that has led to a strike by its students dubbed as an “assault” on one of the country’s finest institutions.
As students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) remained unrelenting in their demand for removal of the actor from the post, Chauhan, best known for his portrayal of Yudhishtir in mega TV serial Mahabharat, alleged that the protests were “politically motivated” and whipped up by someone for his own personal interest.
With the strike by the students entering the fourth day today, the FTII students association was still awaiting the response from the Information and Broadcasting ministry.
Chauhan said he was against the protest by the students and regretted that questions were being raised about his capabilities without knowing him. The actor said he was willing to discuss the issue with the striking students.
‘Swaraj Abhiyan’ leader Yogendra Yadav, who was here to address a farmers’ meeting against the land bill, also visited the institute to support the students “just demands”.
former AAP leader said.”It is not mere a question of saffronisation, the real question is of degradation of all institutions where people without necessary qualification are being appointed,”
This is an assault on the finest institution of the country which is not in the interest of the nation, he said.
Yadav said the earlier government also did the same thing, but the present government has “hit the rock bottom.”
The FTII students’ association has alleged that Chauhan does not have “vision and stature” of his eminent predecessors to merit his posting by the government.