Don’t rent out ground: Students tell Pune University

Pune: Students and student organisations of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), are opposing the varsity’s decision to rent out its sports ground for the shooting of a film for one and half month. The SPPU has rented the ground to ace filmmaker Nagraj Manjule, who is also alumni of the university, but students are crying foul as they don’t have any space to play.

Dr A. D. Shaligram, registrar, SPPU, said, “We have given part of the ground for shooting to Manjule who is an alumni of the university. This is a gesture to him as has won the national award for directing. He is making a film based on football and has given Rs 6.5 lakh which will be used to promote football among students,” he said.

Mr Satish Gore, chairman, Student’s Federation of India, Pune, said, “The university has given this sports ground for shooting a film without even thinking about where the students would play. Half of the ground is under development as the university is developing a running track and ground for other sports.