Post talks, FTII strike to continue; more meetings in store

A meeting held here between the striking students of the FTII and officials of the ministry of information and broadcasting on Tuesday on the simmering row over the appointment of a BJP functionary as the chairman of the premier film school remained inconclusive. While further talks have been guaranteed, the strike will also continue.

Another meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, it was decided on the 110th day of the strike, which over 250 students began to protest actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as chairman of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

"The ministry (representatives) will come back on Thursday to further discuss on this issue. The government has given no assurance and neither have the students done so. The talks are still on. The strike is still on," FTII Students' Association president Harishankar Nachimuthu told the media here post the meeting.

"There is no difference (progress) between (since) the last meeting and today's meeting," Nachimuthu said, adding the ministry officials "heard out the concerns in more detail".

He also hoped that a "decision can be arrived at on Thursday".