Kolkata, Oct 13 (PTI) Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students have begun an indefinite sit-in outside Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office demanding his resignation over on-campus violence on September 27 and again on October 4.
The indefinite sit-in began on Monday, while classes remained suspended for the 16th consecutive day on Tuesday after violence broke out between students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), an RSS-affiliated consumer awareness group, on September 27 during a programme.
On October 4, the campus again witnessed a scuffle during a protest organised by members of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Mancha. Some of the agitators tried to break open the institute’s gate when they were stopped by police.
“We will continue the sit-in till Ajmera steps down for his failure to ensure our safety and bring to book those responsible for the incursion of RSS-linked forces into the campus on September 27 and October 4, which threatened the liberal and creative atmosphere and left many of us injured,” said SRFTI students’ union spokesperson Sudip Chakraborty.
He said students were dissatisfied with the administration’s response to their concerns. The institute’s authorities have failed to take adequate steps to address the security concerns raised by students, Chakraborty added.
The students’ union spokesperson said they had staged a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s office on October 5 and 6, seeking better security. He also alleged that some staffers of the institute had intimidated and harassed students participating in the protest.
Chakraborty also said the agitating SRFTI students were in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party and other protestors in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR issue.
SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera could not be reached for comment.
A senior official of the institute said most students have already left hostels for Durga Puja vacation.
The institute, in a statement on October 5, said, “SRFTI remains deeply concerned about the incidents that occurred on Sunday (October 4) and reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of its students.”
“A formal complaint has been filed with the authorities. The institute unequivocally condemns any act of violence, intimidation or attempt to unlawfully enter the campus. SRFTI is working in coordination with the local authorities and extending full cooperation to ensure that peace and order are maintained in and around the institute,” it had said. PTI SUS NSD
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