Students object to Gajendra Chauhan heading panel for selection of FTII director

PUNE: The Film and Television Institute of India Students' Association (FSA) here today claimed that TV actor Gajendra Chauhan, whose appointment as the chairman of FTII triggered the ongoing strike, will be heading the panel for selection of the new director of the institute, and the students were opposed to it.

The term of the present director, D J Narain, is due to end this month.

FSA said in a statement here that interviews for the selection of new director would be held in Delhi on July 13, and the students were given to understand that the selection panel will be headed by Chauhan.

"Chauhan and a few other members appointed to the FTII society are under dispute. It is only fair that no fresh appointments and policy decisions are taken by a panel that comprises the members in question," FSA said.

"Government should put current FTII society in suspended animation with immediate effect till we mutually reach a solution," said the association, whose delegation had held unsuccessful talks with the I&B Ministry last week.

The strike by the students, who are seeking revocation of Chauhan's appointment for his "lack of stature and vision", entered 27th day today with academic work on the campus continuing to be at a standstill.