Gajendra Chauhan welcomes FTII student's decision, promises dialogue

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) chairman Gajendra Chauhan on Wednesday welcomed the student's decision to call off their strike and invited them for dialogue.

"I have been appealing from 12th June that their strike is not a solution to these kinds of issues. It is better to sit and talk and find a solution. There have been a series of meetings this month with the officials of the ministry. I welcome the students' decision to resume attending classes," Chauhan told ANI here.

"I again appeal to the FTII students to come and talk to me, we can resolve issues. Let us look at the future now because it is the students who are at a loss," he added.

He further said that there can be no solution without dialogue.

"Ending the dialogue process is not a good decision. I am again appealing to the students to hold dialogue with us," he said.

Commenting upon FTII students returning their national awards, Chauhan said, "Getting awards is a matter of respect and returning the respect is not a good decision. I would appeal to them not to take any such decision."

The students who were protesting for last 139 days demanding the removal of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman called off their protest today, but vowed to continue it at various levels.

The students have been opposing the appointment of Chauhan and four others to the governing council of FTII, branding them propagandists for the BJP government.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had rejected the demand of the students and backed Chauhan.

The students started their strike on June 12 to protest against the appointments of Gajendra Chauhan as chairperson and the appointments of four members to the FTII society.