Gajendra Chauhan secured top FTII post with 'one-para CV': RTI query

Only notable achievement listed by Chauhan was that of playing 'Yudhisthir' in TV serial 'Mahabharat'

A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that veteran Indian television and film actor Gajendra Chauhan, who was recently given the reigns of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), was picked on the basis of a one-para CV.

It was also found that the only notable achievement listed by Chauhan on the CV was that of playing 'Yudhisthir' in the TV serial 'Mahabharat'.

Students of FTII 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 also backed the students and used the stage to accuse 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.

"They are only asking for a very small thing. They're asking for a discussion. They are asking for their voice to be heard," Gandhi had said.

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