If India is proud of Payal Kapadia, withdraw FTII case against her, Shashi Tharoor urges PM Modi
New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the cases against filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who won at the Cannes Film Festival last week, and other students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) for staging a protest objecting the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairperson in 2015.
Kapadia became the first Indian director to win the Grand Prix, the second most prestigious award after the Palme d’Or at the Cannes, when she was awarded for her debut movie ‘All We Imagine As Light’ on Saturday.
Lauding her achievement, PM Modi posted on his personal ‘X’ account on Sunday, “India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work ‘All We Imagine as Light’. An alumnus of FTII, her remarkable talent continues to shine on the global stage, giving a glimpse of the rich creativity in India. This prestigious accolade not only honours her exceptional skills but also inspires a new generation of Indian filmmakers. (sic)”
Tharoor, responding to the PM’s tweet, posted on his ‘X’ account on Tuesday, “Modi ji, if India is proud of her, should your government not immediately #WithdrawTheCases against her and fellow FTII students protesting against your government’s arbitrary appointment of an unqualified Chairman? (sic)”
Kapadia and other students of the FTII, which is under the administration of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, had protested in 2015 opposing the appointment of Hindi film actor and BJP member Chauhan, citing the actor’s lack of qualifications to lead the institute as their reason for objection, and had demanded that Chauhan be replaced with a better qualified chairperson. Pune Police had booked the protesting students for unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation and rioting. The FTII administrative board cut off the scholarships of the students and also debarred eight of the students, including Kapadia, from participating in a foreign exchange program that would help them participate in international film festivals.
Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookuty has also put forth the demand that the case against the young director be withdrawn, posting on his Instagram account, “FTII must now withdraw the cases against Payal and the other students. It owes them the prestige that has been bestowed upon it.”
He pointed in a second post on social media that Kapadia, who is accused number 25 in the 2015 case, had to appear in court for a hearing after returning from the film festival.
Modi ji, if India is proud of her, should your government not immediately #WithdrawTheCases against her and fellow FTII students protesting against your government’s arbitrary appointment of an unqualified Chairman? https://t.co/BmZNifLLj9 pic.twitter.com/psZMwSADnn
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 28, 2024
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
