Our protest not against government, but its policies: FTII students

Students from the institute in Patiala on Friday said that their protest was against the government policies and not against government.

In order to put forth their views on the deadlock between the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the Centre on the contentious appointments made in the FTII, students from the institute in Patiala on Friday said that their protest was against the government policies and not against government.

The four students from FTII, who were here, also took part in open discussion organised by Secular Youth Federation of India (SYFI), with the students of Punjabi University on the university premises.

Interacting with the gathering, Sakshi Gulati, final year student of direction, FTII, said the agitation was not anti-government or against certain individuals. She said, "The students are questioning the legitimacy and the rational of these appointments. They are asking for a diligent and a transparent process to be made for such selections."

Reema Kaur, student of editing, FTII, said that education could not and should not be looked at with a return of investment approach by a welfare state.

Shashank Walia, last year student of Cinematography in FTII, said "As apparent in other top level institutes like IITs, IIMs, CBFC, ICCR, ICHR, it seems evident that excellence is being compromised for political subservience and there is an urgent need to address this issue".

Meanwhile, prominent theatre artist Samuel John, who played the role of the protagonist in national award-winning Punjabi movie-Anhe Ghore Da Daan, was also present during the discussion and extended his full support to the students.

The FTTI students would also meet prominent theatre artistes, directors, film personalities and hold discussions.