STAND
AGAINST THE GROWING HOOLIGANISM OF SAFFRON BRIGADE!!!!
STAND
IN SOLIDARITY WITH STUDENTS OF FTII !!!!!
Students
For Society (SFS) strongly condemns the shameful act of ABVP goons to beat up
the students of FTII (Film and Television Institute of India). The FTII
students with Yugpath had organised screening of "Jai Bheem Comrade"
and a performance of Kabir Kala Manch. The program was also held to pay homage
to Dr.(late) Narendra Dabholkar who was also murdered by the goons of Saffron
brigade for his active work against superstition. This act is not
an isolated event but continuation of series of heinous acts of Right wing
reactionaries for whom any activity oriented towards changing this rotten
society is intolerable. In the recent days more such incidents have surfaced in
which the Saffron goons have attacked the democratic students and threatened
them not to carry on their activities. This is clear violation of freedom of
expression and democratic rights of the people.
SFS appeals all the progressive sections of the society to stand against the growing hooliganism of the Saffron brigade and stand in solidarity with the FTII students.
The guilty of the attack should be put to justice and charges on the students of FTII be immediately and unconditionally dropped !!!
Here
is the appeal by the students of FTII.
FTII STUDENTS’
ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY
On the 21st of August 2013 students of the Film
and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Yugpath, Pune organized a
screening of ‘Jai Bhim Comrade’, followed by a discussion with Anand Patwardhan
and a performance by members of the Kabir Kala Manch. At the close of this event,
five students of FTII were physically attacked by twelve members of the Akhil
Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Maharashtra has for centuries produced socially progressive
activists. Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was one among them. The event on the 21st
was organized by the students of FTII to also pay homage to Dr. Narendra
Dabholkar. It is unacceptable that an attack of this nature can be inflicted on
students for organizing cultural events, in a state, which has a rich and
diverse cultural tradition.
This is not an incident in
isolation. The attacks on Amdavad ni Gufa an art gallery in Ahmedabad and the
cancellation of Sanjay Kak’s film at Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce,
Pune are recent examples of mindless violence by right-wing fascist groups. It
is critical to challenge the growing impunity with which fascist groups are
intolerant of artists, thinkers, students and any individual who are either
opposed or not inclined to their politics. Such attacks by any fascist force
violate the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. At a time
when such attacks are becoming increasingly routine we appeal to the student
community and all concerned individuals to register their protest.
On the 26th, this Monday, we are organizing a
Solidarity March starting from FTII Campus, Law College Road to Omkareshwar
Chowk at 4 PM. This march is a protest against the assassination of Dr.
Narendra Dabholkar, the attack against the five FTII students, and all other
acts of mindless violence by fascist forces. We demand that those guilty of
attacking the FTII students be brought to justice and the charges against the
FTII students be dropped immediately. Join us in solidarity as we peacefully
march to celebrate the right to democratic dialogue and reclaim the right to
expression.
We appeal to students and free thinking individuals across
the country to voice their protest. We urge you to use your art, your words and
your ideas in defiance of such fascist forces.
Vikas Urs
General Secretary
Students’ Association, F.T.I.I
Contact- 09158737954,