Protests Continue at Satyajit Ray Film Institute, Demand for Vice Chancellor's Resignation

The student agitation against Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera continues at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata. On October 27, marking one month since the start of the protests, students marched across the campus. The demonstration culminated in a torchlight procession, which caused concern within the institution's administration.

A senior member of the administration, requesting anonymity, stated that the torchlight procession was intimidating. He further added that there were fears that a torch might be thrown at one of the institution's residential buildings. However, students dismissed these claims as 'absurd' and clarified that it was a peaceful protest. Following the incident, the administration summoned the police, who have since been deployed inside and around the campus.

There is a discrepancy between the students and the administration regarding the number of police personnel. Administration members stated that 'four or five' police personnel have been deployed on campus since October 27, while some students claim the number is approximately 50. This difference in figures highlights the lack of trust between the students and the administration of this government-funded film school.

The students have several demands. They seek accountability for the violence that occurred on campus on September 27. On that day, a protest broke out against a programme organised by a group linked to the RSS, which had been granted permission to use the auditorium. Additionally, students are demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Ajmera, the withdrawal of rustication orders against six students, the removal of police from the campus, and the restoration of hostel and mess facilities.

According to student Saptarshi Bardhan, he was attacked within his residential campus. Another student, Anksha Akshanka, added that there is an attempt to portray every action of the students as villainous.

On the other hand, Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera issued a statement on October 27 claiming that the protest has been turned into a platform for political and ideological battle, with demands being made that fall outside the institution's jurisdiction. The statement further alleged that some students, with the help of external forces, are pursuing an agenda and creating disruptions in classes, while many other students wish to resume academic activities soon.

The entire controversy began on September 27, when the Akhil Bharatiya Upbhokta Panchayat, linked to the RSS, rented the institute's auditorium to hold a programme on consumer awareness. Students claim that while they were working on their assignments, they heard Hindutva slogans being raised inside the auditorium. A student, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the organisers of the programme arrived before the scheduled time and were roaming the campus. Some shoots were underway at the time, and some attendees of the programme entered the shooting frames, making the students uncomfortable. Upon hearing the slogans, they hastily made posters criticising the RSS and pasted them in the corridors and the auditorium. This led to an escalation of the dispute, and a video showed an organiser of the programme kicking a student. Stones and bottles were also thrown during the clash.

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute is a renowned Indian film and television institute, operated through government funding. It is well-known for providing training in film production and the television sector.