Oscar winner Resul Pookutty, over 300 FTII alumni condemn attack on students decrying Babri Masjid demolition

File photo for representation. Pic/X

More than 300 alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII alumni) have expressed solidarity with students of the institute following an alleged assault by right-wing activists. The attack was in response to a banner raised by students condemning the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.

The open letter, signed by FTII alumni, including Oscar winner Resul Pookutty, director Saeed Mirza, filmmakers Prateek Vats, Payal Kapadia, Umesh Kulkarni, sound designer Bishwadeep Chatterjee, film editor Irene Dhar Malik, and actor Shardul Bhardwaj, condemns the assault on the students.

"It is painful to see the students of this great film school being assaulted with impunity. We, as a community of film professionals, educators, and artists of both national and international acclaim, extend our support to the FTII student community at this tough and testing moment," the letter said.

The incident at the Pune-based film institute took place on Tuesday, a day after the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, newswire PTI reported.

According to police, some 12 to 15 unidentified persons allegedly barged into the campus by overpowering security personnel and assaulted students while shouting slogans. They tore up and burnt the banner put up by the FTII Students Association (FSA) and read "Remember Babri, Death of Constitution".

The FSA has claimed that its president Mankap Nokwoham was among those who were attacked.

The alumni group said they "unequivocally condemn" the violence perpetrated on the students of the film institute.

"FTII students had organised discussions and screenings on their campus as part of their academic commitment. That intruders were allowed to attack the students is inexcusable," the open letter said.

It said the inaction of the police in investigating and taking action against those responsible for the violence was even "more inexcusable".

"We appeal to the police and all relevant authorities to take prompt action against those who perpetrated violence against the students and who entered with the intent to vandalise property on the campus of FTII, Pune.

"We hold the institute in great affection and regard, and owe to it the rigorous training that turned us into film professionals," it added.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against unidentified persons at Deccan police station under Indian Penal Code sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage) and other relevant provisions, the police said.

The police has also registered an FIR against three students under Indian Penal Code sections 153B (1) (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs). (With inputs from PTI)