FTII to issue notices to striking students

“I don’t want to take drastic steps, hence I am issuing them notices to return to classes and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. Students joined the one-year course on a clear understanding after reading prospectus and as such, the question of demanding athree-year-course doesn’t arise,” Agashe said.

“In any case, the one year independent course meant for basic studies in film and television can not be changed half-way through the semester. Striking students had met members of the governing council informally and have been told it was not possible to revert to three-year-course,” he added.

However, students squatting at FTII entrance agitating for re-introduction of the three-year course are adamant on continuing the strike till their demands are met. The students claim that the review committee to chalk out a revised syllabus appointed by the Academic Council last year had suggested a three-year integrated course in camera, direction, editing and sound which has been put in cold storage. The revised syllabus is not the current syllabus but a 1+1+1 course devised by the Director as separate courses.

“In seven months we have realised that one year course is not enough to learn even the basics of film and television, apart from computers,” said Ajita S.V. The students are also fighting against the hike in the fees from Rs 3,000 per annum to Rs 22,000 per annum, which they want rolled back.