Story perspectives

Film Institute Students Demand Vice-Chancellor’s Resignation After Sit-In

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 4:08 AM UTC · How we work

Center

BJP calls investigation

Students at Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute began an indefinite sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office on 12 October, demanding his resignation.
Coverage foregrounds veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s and filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s public support for the protesting students.
On 27 September, students clashed with members of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-affiliated consumer group.
BJP spokesperson Rahul Sinha called for a full investigation into Shah’s remarks.

Right

Shah slams BJP

On 12 October, students at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute began a sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office, demanding his resignation over campus violence.
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah condemned the BJP and urged right-minded citizens to support the protesting students.
Dean’s Council recommended rusticating six students for obstruction, intimidation, abuse and assault on vice-chancellor.
MLA Ritesh Tiwari called Shah an opponent of the BJP for supporting the students.

Blindspot

Students clashed with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-affiliated consumer group, on 27 September at the institute.
Filmmaker Payal Kapadia publicly voiced support for the protesting students, joining veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

During the 21-month Emergency (June 1975-March 1977), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties, used MISA to imprison thousands of activists and suppressed student protests across campuses. The crackdown sparked nationwide anti-government rallies and ended with the Janata Party’s 1977 electoral victory. Today’s sit-in at the Satyajit Ray Institute revives those historic student-state confrontations.

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BJP calls investigation

Students at Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute began an indefinite sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s office on 12 October, demanding his resignation.
Coverage foregrounds veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s and filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s public support for the protesting students.
On 27 September, students clashed with members of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-affiliated consumer group.
BJP spokesperson Rahul Sinha called for a full investigation into Shah’s remarks.

1 / 4