Panaji, Nov 21 (IANS): Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Saturday condemned the decision of FTII students to take their protest to the inaugural ceremony of the prestigious 46th edition of the International Film Festival of India here, terming it an attempt to tarnish India's image internationally.

Two students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) staged a protest at the opening ceremony of the gala on Friday. According to reporis reports, they were held and are now searching for a lawyer to take their case forward.

"Though it was a small protest but the students tried to tarnish India's image on an international platform like this. It was not expected and I am disappointed by their actions," Rathore said at a media briefing on the sidelines of Film Bazaar here.

The protest was a part of the students' ongoing agitation against the appointment of BJP member and actor Gajendra Chauhan as the institute's chairman.

Rathore also said the student's protest comes as surprise, especially after Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley expressed that he had faith that the students will not try to hamper the nation's image at an event, where noted names from the global film world will be present.

"Arun Jaitley had said that he had trust that Indians will not try to hamper an international event through which India's image can be altered in a negative manner," Rathore said.

Rathore had attended the Film Bazaar, organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), to unveil the logo of Film Facilitation Office, which makes NFDC the single window clearance system.