Team Herald
PANJIM: The two students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), arrested for attempting to disrupt the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Friday evening, were released on conditional bail by a local court. On Saturday, another FTII student Ashutosh was detained from the ESG courtyard and released on spot bail by the sub divisional magistrate hours later.
Akhilesh Tiwari, a native of Delhi and Shubham Vardhan from Mumbai were caught while displaying placards during the inaugural ceremony showing their resentment against the appointment of FTII Chairman Gajendra Chauhan and four others on the panel.
The duo, held under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 419 (impersonation), 448 (trespass) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, have been directed by the court not to enter any IFFI venues.
The FTII students have criticized the government’s move to suppress their demand while also questioning as to why Ashutosh was detained when he was not found disturbing the event.
“Was he arrested because he was wearing FTII T-shirt? Why such discrimination?” questioned one of them. The All India Trade Union Congress has condemned the government action.
