Rahul Gandhi steps up attack on FTII issue; to approach President

Gandhi accused RSS of capturing educational institutions built on merit in the last six decades to destroy them

Stepping up attack on the FTII issue, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today accused RSS of capturing educational institutions built on merit in the last six decades to destroy them.

Congress sources said he would lead a delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee to seek his intervention over the ongoing students's stir against the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

"I don't know what qualities the government sees in him (Chauhan). It is thrusting mediocrity on the country. We will not allow it," said Gandhi who had earlier also visited FTII to support the demand of the students who want Chauhan to be removed.

"The capturing of educational institutions by the RSS is a political issue. I am not politicising it. The BJP is politicising it.

"Every institution that has been developed over the last 50-60 years on merit is being destroyed. This is a political issue not a social issue," the Congress Vice President said.

Gandhi will meet the President seeking his intervention for resolving the issue related to FTII, the party sources said.

Students' agitation at FTII is going on for nearly two months after government announced the appointment of Chauhan as head of its governing council.

The students have been boycotting classes since June 12, demanding Chauhan's removal, maintaining that he lacks "academic credentials, vision and stature" to head the premier institute.

While the students have been able to garner support from many Bollywood bigwigs too, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has refused to withdraw Chauhan's appointment, asking the students to return to academic activity or face action including rustication.