FTII row: 'Shotgun' Sinha says 'don't add political colours'

BJP leader and actor Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday said that one should not politicize the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) chief as it is a prestige issue for the government.

"I have faith in democracy. But since I have attachment with Pune institute as I have been a student out there, I have a loyalty towards the institution and its students, who are on a strike for more than 50 days. I did have a discussion with the government. Neither I was approached nor was I authorized by the government, so I didn't want to intervene earlier," Sinha told ANI.

"But then, I received a letter from the students association and then I spoke with the government and especially with dynamic Minister of State Rajyavardhan (Singh Rathore) ji. I also had a word with some of people of the film industry, especially those, who have been a part of the institute, like Shashi Ranjan, Subhash Ghai, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Raju Hirani," he added.

Sinha further stated the matter is complex as of now because the government has formally written down the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan and the appointment letter has been issued.

"The students' demand is not a secret. They should have done the talking a little before the issuance of the appointment. How can the government take back the issued appointment? So, the government is stuck, students are stuck. Color of politics is being added. All I want is the matter to not be stretched," he added.

Sinha also pointed out that this has now become a matter of prestige, adding that if the issue is politicized then it may be problematic for the government.

Gandhi, who met President Pranab Mukherjee along with striking FTII students today, targeted the NDA government yet again saying those singing praises for the Prime Minister are being made heads of premier institutes in the country.

Nearly 200 students of the FTII have been striking for over two months against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Pune-based institute's chief.

Rahul had visited the institute on July 31 and attacked the RSS for promoting "mediocrity" in national institutions.