2 days ago
SRFTI Students Continue Boycott, Citing Unresolved Safety Concerns
Students at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute are not going to regular classes.
They say they still do not feel safe after violence at the campus.
Their boycott of theory classes began on September 28.
The students’ union says fear is making it hard to study and make films.
Vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera says the campus is now secure and wants classes to restart.
Students say teachers warned that they could face hostel or disciplinary consequences if they do not return.
The institute also opened temporary accommodation for first-year students who were worried about staying outside campus.
Students say they want their safety concerns addressed before classes resume.
SRFTI students said they would continue boycotting regular classes until their safety and security concerns were addressed.
The boycott of theoretical classes began on September 28, following an alleged assault by supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during an event at the institute.
The students’ union said continuing fear and anxiety were preventing students from studying and working normally.
Vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera said the campus was secure and urged students to return, saying most students wanted classes to resume.
Students said teachers conveyed that non-compliance could lead to hostel vacancies and disciplinary action; the institute had opened temporary accommodation for first-year students after the September 27 violence.
- Who
- Students at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, its students’ union, and vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera.
- What
- Students continued an academic boycott, saying they would not resume regular classes until safety concerns were addressed.
- Where
- The Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute campus.
- When
- The boycott of theoretical classes began September 28; students refused regular classes from October 7.
- Why
- Students cited fear and anxiety after an alleged assault and a later alleged attempt to storm the campus gates.
Students’ position
Institute leadership’s position
Safety and resuming classes
Students’ position
Students said fear of further violence and continuing anxiety made it unsafe to study or work normally, and that classes should wait until their concerns were addressed.
Institute leadership’s position
Vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera said police support had restored peace, the campus was secure, and students should return to classes.
Conditions for returning
Students’ position
Students maintained their boycott and said their safety concerns needed to be resolved before they returned.
Institute leadership’s position
According to students who attended a meeting, teachers conveyed that students should resume classes and apologise to Ajmera; failure to comply could bring hostel and disciplinary consequences.
Key facts
- Institute
- Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI)
- Boycott began
- September 28
- Regular classes refused
- From October 7
- September 27 incident
- Students alleged an assault by supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during its event at the institute.
- October 4 incident
- Supporters of the Hindu Jagran Manch allegedly tried to storm the campus gates and threw stones and water bottles.
- Institute response
- The institute opened its Transit Hostel and two staff quarters to first-year students who feared staying in outside accommodation.
- Vice-chancellor’s position
- Santosh Ajmera said peace had been restored and urged students to resume classes.
Quotes
SRFTI students’ union
The student body representing SRFTI students.
“No student should have to enter a classroom, a studio or a shooting location while carrying the fear that they may again be subjected to violence. An academic institution cannot function normally when the students do not feel safe enough to study and make films.”
telegraphindia.com
Santosh Ajmera
Vice-chancellor of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute.
“My appeal to students is that they should return to classes. There are hardly 10 to 15 students who don’t want to resume classes. Otherwise, the rest of the students want classes to resume.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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