FTII students on hunger strike against fee hike

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Pune, December 16, 2019: Three students of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike since today in a protest against the incessant hike in both academic and entrance exam fees every year.

Meanwhile, FTII director Bhupendra Kainthola appealed students to call off their strike. “A letter has been received from the Students Association today informing that 3 students will be on hunger strike from today. The hunger strike is totally unjustified as there is no immediate reason to protest against a decision taken over 11 years ago in 2008. Also the Students Association has not given any prior notice to the administration. I appeal to the three agitating students to call off the protest and resume their studies”, Kanthola said.

The students have demanded to revoke the continuous 10 % fee hike every year and reduce it. “The decision to increase fees by 10% per annum was taken by the FTII Governing Council in 2008 and has been in force since then. Any decision to review the fees or its roll back can therefore be taken only by the Governing Council. In view of the request, the representation by the Students Association can be placed before the next meeting of the Governing Council with the permission of Chairman, FTII Governing Council”, the director issued a statement.

On students demand to immediately stop the JET 2020 until the entrance exam fees are reduced, FTII director added, “The request from Students Association to stop the JET 2020 admission process and review the Entrance Exam fee was discussed in the Governing Council meeting held on 10th December 2019. While not accepting the request to halt the Entrance Exam process, the Council recommended to JET Committee that the Exam fee for JET may be suitably reviewed for 2021.”