Credentials are not everything, Shyam Benegal tells NDTV on the Gajendra Chauhan controversy.
As protests by students at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) enter one month, the former chairman and eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal has told NDTV the students must talk to Gajendra Chauhan, the man whose appointment they are opposing.
While suggesting that the protest was not the right thing to do, Mr Benegal said, "Credentials are not everything. Chauhan may not have credentials, but maybe he is capable. Students should find out Chauhan's capability, he is unknown entity."
Mr Benegal also expressed surprise at reports that as per a Right to Information plea, the government didn't approach other candidates for the Chairman's post and said he was "worried about the lack of functional autonomy" for the institute.
Mr Benegal said both students and teachers fear the government's heavy hand, and functional autonomy is needed.
For nearly a month, the students have boycotted classes in protest against Mr Chauhan's appointment by the government, contending that he lacked the necessary stature and vision and the appointment was political. Mr Chauhan has refused to step down.