Arvind Kejriwal jumps in FTII row; offers temporary space to start class in Delhi

The months long agitation of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, against the appointment of little known actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the premium institute took political color with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal coming in rescue of the students.

According to latest reports on Wednesday night the Maharashtra police unleashed terror on the students on charges of rioting and unlawful assembly. Of the 15 students held five were taken into custody.

Expressing shock at the atrocity meted out on the students, Kejriwal said: "I am shocked to hear of what is going on at FTII.”


Attacking the BJP’s government bossism and their bid to saffron the premium institute he hinted, “It is shocking that an internationally reputed institute is being systematically destroyed by government's wrong decisions."

Sympathizing with the students he added, "My offer to FTII students - Delhi government can provide you temporary space in Delhi. Run your classes here till central government agrees," he said.

And that’s not all Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has also assured the students that if the central government does not bow to their demands and remove Gajendra Chauhan as chairman then his government will convert the temporary space into full fledged institute and students can continue studying there.

Eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal took expressed his discount on the government’s adamant attitude. In a statement he said, “Students are not criminals, and that both, the administration and the protesting students, need to sit down and resolve the crisis.”

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