Date : 22nd August, 2013
Film and Television Institute of India
PRESS RELEASE
ASSAULT ON FTII STUDENTS UNACCEPTABLE
Country's premier film institution Film and Television Institute of
India, Pune is dismayed and shocked over the assault on its students on
21.08.13.
As a part of academic curriculum, regular screening of various films and documentaries are organized at FTII and NFAI.
Students Association of FTII had organized a screening of a National
Award winning documentary film “Jai Bhim Comrade' by Anand Patwardhan at
NFAI theatre on 21.8.2013. The main focus of the film is on the caste
based atrocities and evils of superstition. ‘Jai Bhim Comrade’, shot
over 14 years, follows the poetry and music of a subaltern tradition of
reason that fights superstition and religious bigotry.
The
film has got a Special Jury Prize, in the 59th National Film Awards,
India, 2012 and Best Film/Video award at Mumbai International Film
Festival, India, 2012 apart from other national and international
awards. Students had invited Mr Anand Patwardhan and few members of
Kabir Kala Manch, a cultural organisation and a group of singers and
poets, who have been featured in the documentary film, for interaction
and performance after the screening.
The screening started at
3.30 pm on 21.8.2013 and was attended by approximately 150 people
including FTII students and general public. This particular screening
assumed more importance for students due to the brutal killing of
leading rationalist and thinker Mr Narendra Dabholkar on 20.8.2013, just
one day earlier in Pune. During the function, a condolence was observed
in memory of Mr Dabholkar.
After the programme got over, as
few last remaining FTII students were coming out of NFAI premises, few
persons who had gathered there, started shouting slogans against the
performers. While some students who had organized the screening ,
started coming out of the NFAI gate, the same persons started hitting
them with sticks and helmets . Five students of FTII were injured out of
which three had to be taken to nearby hospital. One student got two
stitches on his head. Three students were given medical treatment.
Police has since taken statements of FTII students.
The faculty, students and staff are dismayed and shocked over the turn
of the events and the way the students were assaulted. We are all
aware FTII is a unique academic space which allows for the freedom of
expression and intellectual debate. Students from all across the world
come and study at FTII and engage in creative discourses. Screenings and
cultural performances are regular activities of the campus which is
going on since inception. This attack on the students is an attack on
the very creative foundations of FTII and is unacceptable to the
Institution .
The FTII has requested the Pune Police to take
necessary steps to ensure that proceedings in the case are done in most
unbiased and fair manner and also ensure that action is taken to see
that justice is done for the FTII students.
D. J. Narain
Director
Date : 22nd August, 2013
Film and Television Institute of India
PRESS RELEASE
ASSAULT ON FTII STUDENTS UNACCEPTABLE
Country's premier film institution Film and Television Institute of India, Pune is dismayed and shocked over the assault on its students on 21.08.13.
As a part of academic curriculum, regular screening of various films and documentaries are organized at FTII and NFAI.
Students Association of FTII had organized a screening of a National Award winning documentary film “Jai Bhim Comrade' by Anand Patwardhan at NFAI theatre on 21.8.2013. The main focus of the film is on the caste based atrocities and evils of superstition. ‘Jai Bhim Comrade’, shot over 14 years, follows the poetry and music of a subaltern tradition of reason that fights superstition and religious bigotry.
The film has got a Special Jury Prize, in the 59th National Film Awards, India, 2012 and Best Film/Video award at Mumbai International Film Festival, India, 2012 apart from other national and international awards. Students had invited Mr Anand Patwardhan and few members of Kabir Kala Manch, a cultural organisation and a group of singers and poets, who have been featured in the documentary film, for interaction and performance after the screening.
The screening started at 3.30 pm on 21.8.2013 and was attended by approximately 150 people including FTII students and general public. This particular screening assumed more importance for students due to the brutal killing of leading rationalist and thinker Mr Narendra Dabholkar on 20.8.2013, just one day earlier in Pune. During the function, a condolence was observed in memory of Mr Dabholkar.
After the programme got over, as few last remaining FTII students were coming out of NFAI premises, few persons who had gathered there, started shouting slogans against the performers. While some students who had organized the screening , started coming out of the NFAI gate, the same persons started hitting them with sticks and helmets . Five students of FTII were injured out of which three had to be taken to nearby hospital. One student got two stitches on his head. Three students were given medical treatment.
Police has since taken statements of FTII students.
The faculty, students and staff are dismayed and shocked over the turn of the events and the way the students were assaulted. We are all aware FTII is a unique academic space which allows for the freedom of expression and intellectual debate. Students from all across the world come and study at FTII and engage in creative discourses. Screenings and cultural performances are regular activities of the campus which is going on since inception. This attack on the students is an attack on the very creative foundations of FTII and is unacceptable to the Institution .
The FTII has requested the Pune Police to take necessary steps to ensure that proceedings in the case are done in most unbiased and fair manner and also ensure that action is taken to see that justice is done for the FTII students.
D. J. Narain
Director
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