Pune: Students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) staged a protest on the institute's campus on Law College Road on Monday in support of the ongoing hunger strike and demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The protest was held as a show of solidarity with the movement taking place in the national capital, where protesters have been holding a hunger strike over issues related to education and other public concerns. The FTII students said they were extending their support to the nationwide agitation and called for greater attention to the demands being raised in Delhi.
As part of the demonstration, students organised a march across the FTII campus carrying flags and placards. Protesters raised slogans, including "Modi – Murder of Democratic India," while voicing their support for the ongoing agitation. They also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The FTII Students' Association said paper leaks had become a nationwide concern and pointed out that the FTII entrance examination paper had also been leaked recently, forcing authorities to conduct the examination again. The association urged the Central government to engage in dialogue with students instead of using force against peaceful protesters. It also condemned the alleged police action against demonstrators in Delhi and reiterated its support for a fair, transparent and accountable examination system.
The students said the protest was intended to express solidarity with those participating in the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and to highlight concerns over issues affecting education and democratic values.
The demonstration remained peaceful throughout. Students marched across the campus, raising slogans and carrying banners before concluding the protest without any untoward incident.
