PANAJI: Authorities on Monday issued protesting Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students a notice asking them whether they had permission to host a parallel two-day film festival here starting Tuesday.

The students plan to screen movies at the parallel event about a kilometer from ongoing International film festival of India (Iffi)’s venue to raise awareness about their protests against Gajendra Chauhan appointment as FTII head.

READ ALSO: FTII students to protest with parallel film festival next to Iffi

North Goa’s district magistrate issued the notice asking Institute Piedade, hosting the parallel festival, to respond to queries like whether the students’ films to be screened have censor certification.

The students said the notice was part of the Goa government’s attempts to harass them.

FTII student Neel said the students' films have the required censor certification. “We are going ahead with the festival as scheduled on November 24 and 25 as we have the required certification and we are not charging any tickets for the screenings and so we are on clear ground.”

READ ALSO: FTII refuses to sponsor students for film festival

Ex-FTII student Prateik Vyas said they are participating in Iffi as a part of academic curriculum. “We are not doing anything illegal by being here,’’ he said.

“But the way we are being interrogated by police while attending the screenings at Iffi, it is scary. We want to know who is responsible if anyone attacks us during the screenings at our festival.’’

Vyas said Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar was asking the students to come to him and he will help mediate between the Centre and the students to resolve the FTII issue.

“…but, on the other hand, the CM’s actions seem to be contradicting his words.’’

The students appealed to the media to keep close watch on their festival as they feared for their safety following detentions and questioning of around 10 of them at the Iffi venue on Sunday.

READ ALSO: FTII has no record of chief's travel expenses

Three independent Goa MLAs, including Vijai Sardesai, have supported the parallel festival. “If the students’ screenings are disrupted in anyway, we will not keep quiet and we will get our constituents onto the streets.’’

He condemned Goa chief minister’s statement saying FTII students should not to protest at the Iffi venue.

“If the CM is afraid of Goa’s name being sullied by the protests, then the only manner in which Goa’s name is getting sullied is in the manner in which these students are being harassed by the police to stop them from protesting.”

He said it was the “BJP governments’ style of appointing chamchas like Chauhan”. The students have been protesting for over five months seeking Chauhan’s removal.

READ ALSO: Cops slap chapter case against FTII student at Iffi

Sardesai said the Goa government appears to be actively colluding in harassing the students. He added the Congress too appears to be supporting the move, as they have failed to speak up in the students’ favour.