KOLKATA: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah on Saturday voiced support for students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) who are staging an indefinite sit-in over incidents of violence on campus, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting those who do not subscribe to its beliefs and policies.
In a video posted on Facebook, Shah alleged that the students had become the latest targets of what he described as the BJP’s vendetta following its victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year.
“The latest victims of this vendetta are the students, the aspiring filmmakers of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute,” Shah said, alleging that students had received show-cause notices, faced surveillance and threats, and been asked to vacate their hostels after demanding accountability from the administration.
The students have been staging a sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office since October 12, seeking his resignation over the violence and raising concerns about campus security.
The unrest followed clashes on September 27 between students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-affiliated consumer awareness group, during a programme at the institute. Another confrontation took place on October 4 during a protest organised by members of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Mancha. Some protesters allegedly attempted to break open the institute’s gate after being stopped by police.
In a notice issued on October 16, SRFTI suspended regular academic activities in its film, and electronic and digital media departments until November 13. Students were also asked to vacate the premises within 24 hours. The institute had been on its Puja vacation until October 21.
Shah alleged that the BJP was attempting to influence or intimidate future filmmakers and said students would continue to speak about the country and its circumstances through their work.
“These are the young people who in the future will tell us the truth about themselves and about our country and about the state we are in,” he said.
The actor urged citizens to support the students’ demands. The students have maintained that their protest will continue until concerns over campus safety and accountability are addressed.