FTII row: Govt has been very 'liberal' with students, claims Rathore

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Monday claimed that the NDA Government has been very 'liberal' towards students over the ongoing FTII row.

"Discussions on demands raised by FTII students have been going on for some time. The government is very liberal towards students and is open for discussions with FTII students. A section of students wants to continue with the strike even after the government held discussions with them to resolve the issue," said Rathore.

He further added that Rahul Gandhi's Pune visit to the institute last week had made it clear that the matter has taken a political turn.

"Rahul Gandhi's Pune visit made it clear that either this matter has taken a political turn or it's was a political strike from the beginning. Making this issue political is the biggest mistake; probably it reveals the source of strike. Somewhere a small segment of students were being misled by a political party or person," he added.

Over 80 agitating students of the FTII will be holding a protest march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street today against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Pune-based institute's chief.

The youth Congress is also likely to join the protest.

Meanwhile, the strike called by the FTII students has entered its 52nd day.

The FTII students association had earlier sent a letter to Rathore requesting him to start a positive dialogue on the issue.

The students have been protesting against Chauhan's appointment due to his affiliation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and his lack of experience and stature. A billboard at the entrance of the institute had earlier asked Chauhan to resign and leave.

Other student groups have been protesting against the decision as well, with organisations like the AISA encouraging Chauhan to quit.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who recently visited the institute, had backed the students and accused the government of suppressing their wishes. He had also asked the ruling dispensation to hear the students' grievances in wake of the controversy over Chauhan's appointment.

Chauhan was appointed to the top post on June 9 this year.