Mumbai: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has come out in support of students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata who are protesting against incidents of violence on the campus. In a video message, he accused the BJP of targeting those who do not agree with its ideology, PTI reported.
The students have been on a sit-in outside the office of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera since October 12. Their central demand is the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation, along with accountability for the violence that has rocked the premier film school.
‘Future Filmmakers’
In a video circulated on Facebook, the veteran actor claimed that the ruling party was retaliating against people who refuse to fall in line with its worldview. He described the protesting students as the newest targets of what he characterised as a campaign of political revenge.
“Namaskar, adab, I’m Naseeruddin Shah.
“The BJP, the bloody jhooti party, after its manipulative victory in the Bengal elections now seems all out for revenge on anyone who does not subscribe to their beliefs and their policies.
“The latest victims of this vendetta are the students, the aspiring filmmakers of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. In return for their demand for accountability from the administration, they have been served show cause notices, put under surveillance, threatened and now have even been asked to vacate the hostels,” Shah said in the video.
He alleged that the party was not satisfied with promoting favourable propaganda and was instead seeking to intimidate or influence the institute’s students.
“It is now hoping either to brainwash or frighten the future filmmakers of this country and I can promise you that is not going to happen. These are the young people who in the future will tell us the truth about themselves and about our country and about the state we are in.
“I urge all right-minded citizens to support the demands of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students,” he added.
Violence And Eviction Order
The confrontation at SRFTI began on September 27, when students and activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) — a consumer awareness body linked to the RSS — clashed during an event on the campus.
Tensions flared again on October 4 during a demonstration by members of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Mancha. Police stopped the group, after which some participants tried to force open the institute’s gate, triggering another scuffle.
Amid the continuing unrest, the SRFTI administration issued a notice on October 16 suspending routine classes in the film, electronic and digital media departments until November 13. Students were also directed to leave the campus within a day.
The order came while the institute was still observing its Puja break, which continued until October 21. Despite the administration’s move, the students have refused to end their protest, saying they remain worried about safety on campus and want those responsible for the violent incidents held answerable.
