Opinion Letters to the Editor: FTII Impasse

FTII Impasse
The 70-day FTII imbroglio has almost reached a point of no return (‘Midnight knock’, August 20). The pre-dawn crackdown was unnecessary, since the police intervention has further aggravated the situation. Although many issues have cropped up, it’s undeniable that the bone of contention is the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan. There can be no solution to the impasse without a meaningful dialogue. The government and the students have to both soften their aggressive stances to bring back normalcy. The government should utilise the services of dignitaries from the world of cinema as interlocutors. The students should also stop doubting the intent and integrity of all those associated with the government.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

There have been 40 strikes in the last five decades at the FTII. Never before was such publicity given to an FTII strike as now. Narendra Modi’s adversaries, critics and a media with vested interests have started seeing saffron everywhere. That’s the only reason they have plunged into this controversy, bothered least about the academic needs of students. Those indulging in indiscipline and breaking the law must face the brunt of disciplinary action. Isn’t hanging around campus for over seven years for a three-year course repeated defiance of the administration?
Kedarnath R. Aiyar, Mumbai

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Reality Check
This refers to ‘Government servants’ kids must go to government primary school: HC’ (August 20). The Allahabad High Court judgment is epoch-making. Many objections are bound to be raised by vested interests, including legal luminaries. What ultimately happens is anybody’s guess. All the same, there is no denying the fact that the judgment is going to create ripples in the minds of public servants. I would go to the extent of suggesting public servants be made to avail medical services only from state-run hospitals.
P.M. Pillai, New Delhi

Real Shivaji
There were errors in Ram Puniyani’s ‘Another Shivaji Controversy’ (August 20). For instance, “Jaanata” doesn’t mean “all-knowing” but “wise” or “judicious”; Dhule and Sangli are separated by more than 400 km and can hardly qualify as an “area”; Afzal Khan was not a “king” but only a nobleman; “rustum-e-zaman” does not mean “bodyguard” — it was the title of a nobleman in the Bijapur court. The need to understand the “real” Shivaji through sincere study cannot be overemphasised.
B.C. Patwardhan, by email