SRFTI students begin 'indefinite sit-in strike', demand vice-chancellor's resignation

The students’ union of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute began an “indefinite sit-in strike” on Monday, refusing to resume classes despite an appeal by vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera.

The students demanded Ajmera’s resignation, accusing him of failing to engage in dialogue over their concerns following attacks on the campus on September 27 and October 4, allegedly by organisations linked to the RSS.

The union announced the protest in a post on its Instagram handle, SRFTI Outloud, late on Sunday, saying it would build a stage in front of the administrative building.

Despite multiple attempts, there was still “no meaningful channel of communication”, the post said. “We see no other option left but to put forward one clear demand: the resignation of VC Santosh Ajmera.”

The students have been boycotting theoretical classes since September 28, a day after they were allegedly assaulted by supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), which was holding a programme at the main auditorium. On October 4, Hindu Jagran Manch supporters allegedly tried to storm the campus gate.

Ajmera had said last week that he expected students to resume classes on Monday.

An SRFTI student said several students were issued show-cause notices asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for allegedly assaulting a security officer who had asked them to vacate the VC’s office, where some students had been staging a sit-in.

“The students have also been served notices in connection with a complaint of property damage last year. When we question the administration over the lapses, they threaten us. All this is happening with the VC’s approval,” the student said. “This suggests that the VC is not keen to open any channels of meaningful communication with students. He wants to coerce us into joining classes. We demand the resignation of a VC who wants to rule us with an iron fist.”

Another student said the VC had described the situation as “normal” after the first attack, only for the second one to occur days later. “The VC wants us to attend classes without a word on fixing accountability for the attacks by RSS-linked forces. He wants us to be content with enhanced security since October 5. He does not want us to ask why no one has been arrested. This is not going to happen,” the student said.

Asked about the indefinite sit-in, Ajmera told Metro in a text message: “I am appealing to students to resume their classes, as absence... is adversely impacting their academic schedule and activities... There are students since 2019 onwards, who are yet to complete their diplomas. The delay has already impacted junior batches and is putting pressure on crucial infrastructure on the campus. My office has not received any official request or communication (from students) so far for any meeting.”