What can we learn from the students protests in FTII in Delhi? It is worth a discussion? What is their problem? Why was Gajendra Chauan appointed? These are some questions that have been crowding my mind and the news papers in the last two weeks. I have been observing it from far away and noticing the students react very sharply and garner some support as well from other student movements. The next question is that, why did the other student movements show solidarity?
FTII is India's IIT for film and television technology. It is said that FTII draws the best minds in the business. Though the quality of films and television shows are not testimony to this talent, they are I am sure the best minds. For an institute like this, I agree that people with some excellence should be considered. And as chance would have it, with the help of the current government Gajendra Chauan was appointed as the director of the institute. He was very famous for his role in the most famous epic tele serial and later in several movies that are termed to be "C" grade. Some newspapers carried a few posters from his exploits on the silver screen. Sure he looked hot!
Now this is too hot for the students. They have many questions. What did we do to deserve such a hot Director? and Don't you think that our creativity will melt with his heat? At this point I stand with the students who are asking the right questions. It may be the prerogative of the government to appoint a director but it is important to pay attention to the tradition and the prestige of the institute. The students just not want an inspiring person, they are looking for much more than that. They are looking forward to someone who is professionally qualified and trained. This does not mean that any actor qualifies to be professional just because he has been in the profession for a long time.
The person has to be academically trained and qualified from an institute of equal calibre as the FTII. The person should have achieved some minimum standards in terms of his performance and creativity and finally should have had some administrative experience. Out of this context this may sound completely logical. Let's say they are inviting a applicants for the post of Director of any of the IITs will they not ask similar questions? These questions were completely ignored and a man is put in place to carry forward an agenda of the government. The students are not stupid to miss the details. They see it as the high handedness of the government to deluge the institute in the ideology of the ruling party.
The students who are standing their ground are have a new name, they are called Naxalites. Wow what a name to give students who are protesting to save the face of an institution. I guess the same is true of the thousands of naxals who question the rut at every stage. Now if they are called so, it is an achievement in itself as it only means that they have stood for a cause sans violence.
I only wish many more students come out on the street to protest against what is going on in Universities and Colleges in terms of the appropriateness of individuals appointed to posts of honour. They need to claim their right to quality education. One thing that I take away from this protest is that students are now aware of the situation and are ready to take on the high and mighty. I am sure that this is a good beginning and hope it will be a Delhi Spring.
