ITANAGAR – The first group of students at the Film and Television Institute, Arunachal Pradesh (FTI-AP), has kicked off an indefinite academic boycott starting May 15, 2025. They’re voicing their concerns over what they call “serious safety lapses, institutional neglect, and administrative inaction” at their newly established campus. Until their issues are addressed and action is taken, these students are refusing to attend classes, workshops, or submit any academic work.
Eight years after Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone, students are now on an academic strike, discovering that the institute isn’t quite ready to welcome them.
FTI-AP is a national-level institute created under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), with the aim of enhancing film education and cultural infrastructure in the Northeast. It operates under the administration of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata.
However, students say the reality on the ground is a far cry from that vision. Despite raising concerns and staging a protest back in March 2025, many key promises have yet to be fulfilled.
Unsafe and Incomplete Campus
Students claim that the basic infrastructure of the campus is still dangerously incomplete. The Classroom Theatre (CRT), which is supposed to be a key learning space, was promised to be ready by April but is still not finished. Additionally, retaining walls along the hilly terrain have not been built, posing serious risks of landslides. In one instance, a landslide damaged the water supply pipeline, leaving it exposed and at risk of collapse.
The institute is facing some serious security issues, as it doesn’t have a boundary wall or a main gate. A student representative shared, “We’ve had instances of theft, rash driving inside campus premises, and trespassing.”
Essential Facilities Missing
Things get even tougher when it comes to basic necessities: Water and Health: The tap water isn’t safe to drink. The filtration systems have broken down, and the water jars—the only source of drinking water—aren’t refilled regularly. Mess food is often made with unfiltered water, which has led to students getting sick repeatedly. Even though there are frequent medical emergencies, there’s no infirmary, and the nurse is only available for a few hours each day.
Electricity and Internet: Power outages happen all the time, and the diesel generator is hit or miss due to inconsistent operation and fuel shortages. Since most academic work is done online, the lack of reliable internet—especially in the girls’ hostel—has really disrupted learning. “The internet and power go out every weekend—just when we need them the most,” one student pointed out.
Academic Infrastructure: Students don’t have access to proper editing workstations or studios. Many are stuck using personal laptops that aren’t equipped for professional editing software. There are no working preview theatres, shooting floors, or sound labs—all of which are crucial for hands-on film education.
No Identity, No Recognition
The institute’s name hasn’t been officially announced yet. Students are still waiting for formal ID cards, institute email addresses, or any proof that they’re enrolled in a national institution. There’s no logo, website, or even a social media presence. “We feel invisible,” one student expressed, “We belong to an institution that doesn’t exist on paper.”
The situation is made worse by the lack of a full-time Director on campus. Most administrative decisions have to go through SRFTI (Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute) in Kolkata, which leads to a lot of confusion and delays. With staffing shortages and outsourcing from the local DC office, many important positions are either vacant or filled by people who aren’t properly trained.
Postal Blackout and Isolation
Since the previous temporary campus address has been shut down, students are unable to receive couriers or academic materials. There’s no post office nearby, and courier services won’t deliver to the current campus. Students are asking for an official delivery address or a nearby sub-post office.
Demands Before Second Semester The students have put together a formal list of demands, making it clear that they won’t start the second semester until essential academic blocks and facilities are completed. Their requests include:
- An operational Preview Theatre, Shooting Floor, and Digital and Sound Blocks
- A multi-sports ground and a well-stocked library
- Reliable electricity and internet access
- 24/7 access to clean drinking water
- Deployment of CISF security personnel
- Hiring a full-time Director to be on campus
- Formal recognition through a website, ID cards, email IDs, and a social media presence
A Struggle for Dignity
In their press release on May 18, the students expressed their frustration. “This second academic halt isn’t just a symbolic gesture—it’s a refusal to continue learning in conditions that are unsafe, emotionally exhausting, and academically impossible.”
“What we’re asking for isn’t a luxury; it’s what we should expect from a national film institute—state-of-the-art facilities as promised in the prospectus. We came here, leaving our families and homes with dreams in our hearts. We won’t let those dreams be stifled by silence, neglect, and delays any longer.”
Ministry Yet to Respond
As of now, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting or the SRFTI administrative body. Students have called for immediate intervention from the MIB and assurance of timelines for the resolution of their demands.
The protest stands as a stark reminder of how policy visions on paper often fail to materialize on the ground—leaving behind not only incomplete structures but also disillusioned students, whose only demand is to be treated with dignity.
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