SRFTI students allege classroom power cut amid protest; institute denies targeting protesters
Students at SRFTI claimed that a power outage in a classroom was timed to disrupt their protest, while the institute denied any intentional targeting. The dispute adds tension to ongoing campus demonstrations.
A group of students from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute reported that the lights went out in their classroom during a scheduled protest against recent administrative decisions. They argued that the sudden cut in electricity prevented them from continuing their demonstration and sent a message of intimidation. The institute’s administration responded by stating that the outage was due to a routine maintenance issue and that no staff member was instructed to interfere with student activities.
SRFTI, a premier film school in Kolkata, has seen a series of student actions over the past year, ranging from demands for better infrastructure to calls for greater transparency in fee structures. Protests at educational institutions in India often attract media attention, as they can influence policy discussions at the national level. For Indian readers, the episode reflects broader concerns about the balance between institutional authority and student rights, especially in creative fields where freedom of expression is a core value.
The disagreement has prompted calls for an independent inquiry to verify the cause of the power cut and to ensure that future protests can proceed without technical interference. Faculty members have expressed support for open dialogue, while some administrators emphasize the need to maintain campus safety. The outcome may set a precedent for how Indian higher‑education institutions handle dissent and manage essential services during periods of unrest.
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