Here’s A Simple Timeline To Understand The Complicated FTII Controversy

Every media has been covering Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) vehemently over past two months. For any average person out there, it is difficult to miss the word. Some are clear about the issue and have picked a side while some others have some vague ideas about what’s going on.

The issue is more important than the credit most of us are giving it to be. Because it is not just about one institute, one appointment and one protest, but a mark that the grown up, educated and opinionated youth of the country won’t sit back and accept everything that is shoved down their throat.

And here’s the full story of FTII journey from being the most credible filmmaking institute in the country to being the most controversial filmmaking institute:

June 9, 2015

Mahabharat fame Gajendra Chauhan appointed as the Chairman of FTII.
Students refuse to accept him as the chairman and question his intellect and his worthiness to hold that position.

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June 15, 2015

While the protest persists from the students, other than Gajendra Chief, four more strong BJP and RSS supporters are selected as ‘Person of Eminence’ for the FTII society. The team includes Anagha Ghaisas (who proudly flaunts herself as 100 percent RSS supporter), Narendra Pathak, Rahul Solapurkar and Shailesh Gupta.

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June 15, 2015

Gajendra Chauhan comments that his capabilities cannot be judged by the work that he has done and he should be given at least one year’s time to prove himself.

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June 24, 2015

Censor board chief, Pankaj Nihlani tries to save Gajendra Chauhan from the public outcry over his incapability. Blames the students for playing politics against him.

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June 28, 2015

After 17 days of strike by the students, the government finally agrees to speak to the students about the matter.

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June 30, 2015

Protest gains momentum as notable actors fortify the resignation of Gajendra Chauhan. Lyricist, actor and music composer Piyush Mishra, speaks up

 

July 3, 2015

The government refuses to remove Gajendra Chauhan from the position. Says that he is fit for the job and will not quit.

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July 5, 2015

The government offers a comprehensive roadmap to improve FTII’s situation. Suggestions made to Human Resource Development to make FTII a centre of national importance.

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July 8, 2015

Many famous celebrities including Anupam Kher, Rishi Kapoor, Nawazzudin Siddiqui and Ranbir Kapoor speak against the government’s decision. Ranbir Kapoor’s launches his video supporting the student’s cause.

 

July 9, 2015

Several notable names from the industry express their rejection over Chauhan’s appointment and suggest that he resigns.

Advice. After all the protests and controversy,Gajendra Chauhan,the FTII Chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students.

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) July 10, 2015

 

July 10, 2015

Strike continues despite government’s nonchalance over the issue.

Questions Under the Wisdom Tree: Inside the FTII strike pic.twitter.com/jGzRt1yVUG

— bHaNu ❤️ (@bhanugupta_9) July 30, 2015

 

July 24, 2015

Police deployed around the FTII campus in Pune. Officers in civil dress question students upon entering.
Students worried as no violence or vandalism has been done from their side to require this action from the management.

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July 29, 2015

Parents question the FTII management and their credibility, express anger over their children’s insult and request management to take the issue seriously.

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July 31, 2015

Congress VP, Rahul Gandhi visits FTII and extends his support to the students and encourages them to stay firm on their stand.

At FTII interacting with protesting students pic.twitter.com/Eqfpx96eNE

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) July 31, 2015

 

August 2, 2015

The response given to an RTI filed by the students unveils that the I&B Ministry received several applications and suggestion for the post with resuming ranging several pages. However, the single paragraph CV of Gajendra Chauhan was picked amongst them.
It also showed that earlier Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Jahnu Baruah, Raju Hirani, and many others have been considered for the post.

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August 3, 2015

Number of RTI applications filed per month multiply from being 1-2 application per month to 25 in the last month.
The new found interest shown by the government in the institution worries faculties and students.

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August 6, 2015

Students meet the Information and Broadcasting ministry officials and requested for an action to be taken so that their crisis comes to an end. No solution is reached, the crisis continues.
Journalists, cultural activists, students and theatre actors meet the students and extend support.

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August 8, 2015

FTII administration asks overstaying students (batch of 2008) to vacate the campus and gives them a 6 day notice period.
Students blame the lack of resources and infrastructure for the delay in completion on projects and call the move a witch hunt by the administration.

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These are the students who have the passion to give something new to the Indian cinema. The film industry might not need these students, but the Indian cinema does. Do you think what their fighting for is too much?