Kolkata: At the Save SRFTI joint news conference held by students and alumni at the Kolkata Press Club, the SRFTI Students’ Union began with a screening of a video made with edited footage of events that happened since the clash on Sept 27.Reiterating their position for a resolution through purposeful dialogue and accountability, the alumni have put forward three core demands: prompt withdrawal of all punitive measures imposed on students, immediate removal of police personnel from campus and swift resumption of talks based on an independent probe into the attacks on Sept 27 and Oct 4.The union additionally demands the resignation of VC Santosh Ajmera and the unconditional revocation of all show-cause notices with assurances against further action. Their charter further calls for an independent alumni-led inquiry into campus violence, “the circumstances surrounding the permission granted to the RSS-affiliated organisation to hold an event at the Main Theatre, and the role and accountability of the institute administration”. It also calls for bye-laws amendments “to ensure that external organisations permitted to use SRFTI premises are limited to those associated with cinema and filmmaking, with prior consultation and discussion involving all relevant stakeholders before any such permission is granted”.Raka Dutta, a fourth-batch alumna, expressed solidarity with the students. Criticising the administration, she stated that “criminalising students and treating them like outsiders in their own institute where they are the primary stakeholders is completely unethical”. She added that “the administration has failed to serve its duty as a custodian/protector,” pointing out that students were assaulted in their own space while the administration framed it as a disciplinary matter. “But, no measures were taken against the so-called people who acted as goons, by pelting stones, glass,” she said.Cinematographer Manas Bhattacharyya from the fifth batch said, “Students being assaulted on campus by outsiders can’t be accepted. They are not getting any answer about why incidents happened. What is worse is the absence of security from the administration. Instead of providing a safe environment, they are subjected to surveillance and some have also been rusticated. Since we have not sufficient evidence to believe why they have been rusticated, it is difficult to accept the rational that this was a much-needed disciplinary action. Why students need to beg for security and welfare from the administration? This should come to them by default. The 24-hour deadline given for hostel vacation was inhuman. I am in agreement with the students about the VC’s resignation since there is enough evidence to suggest that he has become inhuman and is keen on only satisfying his ego.”SRFTI registrar Deepak Kumar said, “The video presented at the news conference offers a selective and edited account. The institute has taken sustained measures to ensure safety, address female students’ cyber-safety concerns and provide psychological support. Disciplinary action against students have been based on specific acts of misconduct, including threats, intimidation and assault — not participation in general protests. Any suggestion otherwise is factually incorrect.”
