Payal Kapadia Voices Support for SRFTI Students Amid Violence
Filmmaker Payal Kapadia condemns the SRFTI campus violence and supports students facing disciplinary actions.
Payal Kapadia expresses horror over SRFTI violence and student treatment.
Students face rustication after protesting against campus attacks.
Calls for an impartial investigation into the violent incidents.
Filmmaker Payal Kapadia has publicly expressed her dismay regarding the violent incidents at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata, where students have faced disciplinary actions following protests. Kapadia stated she was 'horrified' that students who were assaulted received punitive measures while no repercussions were directed at the aggressors involved in the violence, which included physical assaults and harassment of female students.
The alarming events unfolded on September 27, when individuals allegedly linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) entered the SRFTI campus and assaulted students. In a statement, Kapadia highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that students were now facing rustication for questioning the administration's failure to protect them. Since the attack, classes have been suspended, and students have received eviction notices from the hostel.
Kapadia's concerns were echoed by a collective of filmmakers and artists who condemned the violence and demanded a thorough investigation. They expressed their outrage through a statement released on September 29, emphasizing that such incidents should not be dismissed as mere occurrences to be forgotten. The SRFTI administration has been criticized for prioritizing disciplinary actions against students rather than addressing the root causes of the violence.
The situation escalated further when students began boycotting classes on September 28, following the initial attacks. Reports indicate that they were targeted again on October 4 by individuals allegedly associated with the Hindu Jagran Manch. Student representatives have voiced their determination to continue their protests, asserting that the administration's actions, including the rustication of six students, are attempts to suppress their voices and intimidate them into compliance.
In response, SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera stated that normalcy could only return once students ceased what he termed 'vandalism.' He indicated that the administration would be compelled to take stricter measures if students continued to resist compliance with institutional orders. The ongoing conflict raises significant concerns about student safety and the broader implications for academic freedom at the institute.
