New Delhi, July 22: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) will evict over 40 students who it claims have overstayed on the Pune campus despite passing out and are stoking the protests against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as chairman.

The Union information and broadcasting ministry has prepared a list of 44 "illegal occupants", sources said today, as the strike entered its 40th day.

FTII director Prashant Pathrabe, who took charge last week from his predecessor seen by the Centre as "pro-students", said notices would be served tomorrow on the 44 asking them to vacate within a week.

"They are no longer registered as they have completed their courses but continue to stay in our hostels," Pathrabe said over phone from Pune.

A senior ministry official claimed the students were "using the institute's resources illegally". "On top of that, they are spearheading the protests. They need to be weeded out." The institute has around 250 regular students.

The FTII students' association claimed, however, that only 25 students who had "passed out" were staying in the hostels.

"Even among the 25, some are still completing their final thesis," said Ranjeet Nair, a member of the association.

One student in the group of 44 claimed such "things happen in all universities". "In our case, technical equipment is readily available here, so some of us have stayed back while we wait to get a break. The government is trying to arm-twist us after having failed to convince us to end the strike."

The students, who have been protesting against BJP leader and Mahabharat actor Chauhan and others with party or RSS links appointed to the FTII governing council, have written to MPs of various parties to raise their issue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi is among them.