Amid an escalating standoff between the administration and students of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), the institute’s Registrar, Deepak Kumar, has said that concerns raised by parents of some students over the situation on campus will be addressed appropriately.In a message, Kumar confirmed that the institute had received communications from parents and assured them that their concerns would be taken up. “The institute received mail yesterday from parents of a few students. The concerns raised therein will be addressed appropriately in due course,” he said.The statement comes as students continue their indefinite sit-in protest, demanding accountability for two alleged incidents of violence on campus, stronger security arrangements and action against those responsible. The confrontation has also disrupted academic activities, with students staying away from lectures, workshops and film shoots.
SRFTI students continue indefinite sit-in outside VC’s office
Students have been staging an indefinite sit-in outside the office of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera since October 12. The protest follows a series of developments that began with an altercation on September 27 between students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat inside the institute campus.A day after the incident, students stopped attending lectures, workshops and film shoots from September 28, seeking improved security arrangements and action against those allegedly involved in the confrontation.The situation escalated further following a rally organised by the Bangiya Hindu Jagran Manch on October 4. During the rally, stones and bricks were allegedly hurled at students, intensifying their concerns over campus security. The developments prompted students to announce an indefinite sit-in and demand accountability from the institute administration.
West Bengal government forms SIT to probe campus violence
Following the September 27 incident, the West Bengal government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. Separately, the SRFTI administration initiated its own fact-finding exercise to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.However, students have maintained that the steps taken by the administration have not addressed their concerns. They have accused the institute authorities of failing to ensure accountability and responding to their agitation with punitive measures rather than resolving the issues raised by them.
Students allege punitive action, restrictions on campus facilities
The confrontation between the administration and students has intensified following disciplinary action against some protesters. The institute issued show-cause notices to several students over the alleged assault of a security officer and rusticated six students.Protesting students have also alleged restrictions on access to campus facilities, including the gymnasium, music room and film-viewing facilities. They have further claimed that the power supply to academic classrooms was interrupted, adding to the difficulties faced by students amid the ongoing agitation.The administration, however, has presented a different account of the protest. It has alleged that a section of students, with support from outside forces, is attempting to politicise the agitation and disrupt academic activities.With students continuing their protest and academic activities remaining affected, the Registrar’s assurance that parents’ concerns will be addressed comes amid mounting pressure on the institute administration to resolve the impasse.(With inputs from PTI)
