SRFTI students and alumni have demanded the resignation of vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera, withdrawal of punitive action against students and an independent inquiry into clashes on the Kolkata campus on September 27 and October 4. The demands were raised at a joint “Save SRFTI” news conference at the Kolkata Press Club, where the Students’ Union also called for the removal of police personnel from the institute.
The alumni and students said dialogue should resume only after an independent probe into the reported attacks. Their charter seeks the prompt withdrawal of disciplinary measures imposed on students, the unconditional revocation of show-cause notices and assurances that further action will not be taken against them.
The proposed inquiry, according to the demands presented at the conference, would examine the circumstances surrounding permission granted to an RSS-affiliated organisation to hold an event at SRFTI’s Main Theatre. It would also examine the role and accountability of the institute administration in the campus violence.
The group has further called for changes to the institute’s bye-laws governing the use of its premises by external organisations. It wants such access to be limited to organisations associated with cinema and filmmaking, with prior consultation involving relevant stakeholders before permission is granted.
The conference began with the screening of a video containing edited footage of events that took place after the September 27 clash. Students and alumni reiterated that they wanted a resolution through dialogue and accountability. Raka Dutta, an alumna from the fourth batch, said students were being treated as outsiders in their own institute and alleged that the administration had failed in its responsibility to protect them.
Cinematographer Manas Bhattacharyya, from the fifth batch, said students being assaulted on campus by outsiders could not be accepted. He questioned the disciplinary action against some students, saying there was insufficient evidence available to them to understand the basis for rustication. He also criticised a 24-hour deadline issued for hostel vacation and said students should not have to seek security and welfare from the administration.
The dispute has placed the administration’s responsibilities around campus access, student safety and disciplinary procedures at the centre of the conflict. The students and alumni have alleged that incidents involving outsiders were treated primarily as a disciplinary matter involving students, while the institute has disputed that characterisation.
SRFTI registrar Deepak Kumar said the video shown at the conference presented a selective and edited account. He said the institute had taken sustained measures to ensure safety, address cyber-safety concerns raised by female students and provide psychological support.
Kumar said disciplinary action had been based on specific acts of misconduct, including threats, intimidation and assault, rather than participation in general protests. He described suggestions to the contrary as factually incorrect.
The student and alumni groups are seeking talks after an independent inquiry, while the institute has defended its safety measures and disciplinary process. The next step identified in the demands is the withdrawal of punitive measures and the initiation of an independent probe into the September 27 and October 4 incidents.
