FTII row: Congress asks BJP to desist from compromising on quality of education

AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmad on Friday alleged that it is the BJP's tradition to appoint unqualified persons to posts where a specific qualification is required and said the ruling party at the Centre should not do anything which compromises the integrity and quality of education.

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Ahmad, who was reacting to the ongoing controversy over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the FTII, said the people at this institute of international repute and fame expect that a person of stature and knowledge, who knows how to deal in film-making should take charge.

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"Unfortunately, Mr. Gajendra Chauhan is attached to the BJP, which is the only qualification which he holds. In HRD Ministry Mrs. Smriti Irani is appointing people only due to their affiliation with the BJP without any qualification. So, the BJP should desist itself and their ministers should not do anything which compromises the integrity and the quality of education in these institutions," he said.

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Actor Rishi Kapoor earlier said that Chauhan should voluntarily resign as the chairman of the FTII, leaving aside his ego.

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"I have nothing against Gajendra Chauhan. My point is how will he be received at FTII when everyone is against his appointment? If this is how Gajendra Chauhan is being received, the man should voluntarily resign leaving aside his pride and ego," Kapoor said.

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"And, if someone had to be chosen for political reasons then there was Hema Malini, or Shatrughan Sinha or Paresh Rawal. I feel for him (Gajendra Chauhan) but you can't force yourself into something," he added.

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Students of the FTII have been protesting against Chauhan's appointment due to his lack of experience and stature. A billboard at the entrance of the institute had last week asked Chauhan to resign and leave.

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Other student groups have also been protesting against the decision, with organisations like the All India Students' Association encouraging Chauhan to quit.