3 hrs ago
NSD Students’ Union Backs SRFTI Protesters After Campus Assault
Students at SRFTI protested against a programme held by ABGP on their campus.
They said the programme had been organised without prior communication or permission.
A confrontation followed, and students said they were attacked and chased.
ABGP members denied attacking anyone and said their members were assaulted instead.
The students’ union at the National School of Drama supported the SRFTI students.
It said schools should be safe places for discussion and disagreement.
SRFTI’s vice-chancellor said violence on campus was unacceptable.
He said the institute would improve safety and help students return to classes and creative work.
The National School of Drama students’ union expressed solidarity with SRFTI students after a September 27 campus confrontation.
The union alleged that ABGP members attacked, verbally abused and chased protesters across the campus.
ABGP members denied attacking students and alleged that their own members were assaulted.
SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera said violence inside an academic institution could not be justified.
Ajmera said the institute was strengthening campus security and helping students safely resume academic activities.
- Who
- SRFTI students, the National School of Drama students’ union, ABGP members and SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera.
- What
- A dispute over an ABGP programme on the SRFTI campus escalated into allegations of physical assault, prompting solidarity from the NSD students’ union.
- Where
- On the SRFTI campus.
- When
- The confrontation occurred on September 27; the NSD union issued its statement on September 30.
- Why
- SRFTI students said they were protesting an ABGP programme held without prior communication or consent; ABGP members disputed the account and alleged they were assaulted.
SRFTI Students and NSD Union
ABGP Members
What happened during the confrontation
SRFTI Students and NSD Union
SRFTI students and the NSD union said ABGP members verbally abused, attacked and chased students who were protesting.
ABGP Members
ABGP members denied attacking students and alleged that their own members were assaulted.
Use of campus space
SRFTI Students and NSD Union
The NSD union said students protested because the ABGP programme was held without prior communication or consent.
ABGP Members
The articles do not provide ABGP’s response to the claim about whether the programme had prior communication or consent.
Campus environment
SRFTI Students and NSD Union
The NSD union said academic and cultural institutions must protect dissent, dialogue and creative expression without physical intimidation.
ABGP Members
The SRFTI vice-chancellor focused on restoring safety, peace and normal academic and creative activities, while stating that violence could not be justified.
Key facts
- Incident date
- September 27
- NSD statement
- Issued September 30
- Institution offering support
- National School of Drama students’ union
- Programme organiser
- Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP)
- Disputed account
- Students alleged ABGP members attacked them; ABGP members denied this and alleged their members were assaulted.
- Vice-chancellor
- Santosh Ajmera
- Planned response
- SRFTI said it would strengthen campus safety and security.
Quotes
Abhishek Singh Jadawat
A student of the National School of Drama
“It was extremely concerning to see students being attacked for expressing dissent. The fact that students were chased into the library and beaten up reminded us of what happened at Jamia Millia Islamia University a few years ago. We will stand together and will not accept such brutality.”
telegraphindia.com
“We stand shoulder- to- shoulder with our fellow artists and companions at SRFTI to preserve campus democracy.”
telegraphindia.com
Santosh Ajmera
Vice-chancellor of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
“There can be no justification for violence within an academic institution.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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