Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Rajyavardhan Rathore has hinted at breaking the deadlock with protesting FTII students but not before asking them to start attending their classes. The Minister said that the government is open to discussions. “In interest of students if they have a viewpoint, the classes should go on and a group of students can hold discussion with us,” said Rathore on Thursday.
Rathore assured that the government is committed towards the growth of the institute. “Our priority is to strengthen FTII,” he added. However, he refrained to make any statements regarding the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the head of the premiere institute.
The association of students however made it clear that they would intensify their protest if the appointment of Chauhan is not revoked and the governing council not reconstituted
The agitation of students entered its forty fifth day on Thursday. A major segment of the film fraternity including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Amol Palekar, Anupam Kheramongst others have voiced support for the demands raised by the students.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting observed National Broadcasting Day on Thursday across the country. The occasion was to commemorate the day in 1927, when the Indian Broadcasting Company began its radio broadcasting from Bombay station.
The Minister said the government was committed towards strengthening Prasar Bharati. Government was also committed to expansion of FM Radio through the Phase III auctions and to provide better quality transmission. Efforts are on to replace shortwave and Medium wave with FM broadcasts throughout the country.
Steps are also afoot to encourage and strengthen Community Radio Movement as it empowered local communities by encouraging local languages , local talent and dissemination of information.