Kolkata, Aug 19 (IANS): Eminent filmmakers Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Goutam Ghose on Wednesday condemned the arrest of five FTII students during a midnight crackdown.

Police arrested five students of Pune's Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) accused of rioting and criminal intimidation. Students are agitating against the appointment of BJP member and actor Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman.

Dasgupta said the students are justified in protesting against Chauhan's appointment.

"It is well established that any person who is appointed as the chairman should be meritorious enough. When Saaed Mirza (the former chairman) was appointed chairman, no one raised voices. The students are justified to protest in the present case," said Dasgupta.

The veteran filmmaker said he has no words to express his criticism.

National Film award winner Ghose laid emphasis on solving the long-standing issue.

"Students will not be able to study in this environment. If every issue is politicised then I have nothing to say. I do not like what is happening. It is saddening," Ghose said.