Kejriwal offers 'temporary space' for FTII in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 19 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday offered the agitating students of Pune-based FTII "temporary space" here to run classes till their demands are met.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal expressed his shock after Maharashtra Police arrested five students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) from their campus for rioting on late Tuesday.

Kejriwal said: "I am shocked to hear of what is going on at FTII. An internationally reputed institute being systematically destroyed by government's wrong decisions."

"My offer to FTII students -- Delhi government can provide you temporary space in Delhi. Run your classes here till central government agrees," he said.

Kejriwal said that "if finally, the central government doesn't agree, we'll convert this place into full fledged institute and students can continue studying here only".

For over two months, the students have been opposing the appointment of BJP member and TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman.

Tuesday's arrests came after a group of striking students confined FTII Director Prashant Pathrabe and other staffers in his office for eight hours and vandalised office furniture and fittings, according to officials.