"The Ministry had arbitrarily chosen Shri Gajendra Chauhan as the Chairman of the Governing Council, a position earlier held by eminent film-makers like Shri Mrinal Sen, Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, among a host of other eminent appointees. This appears to have been done in haste, sans due diligence or widespread consultations," says the letter, sent on Thursday, the 91st day of the stir.

Also, there are "at least four political appointees with little or no cinematic achievements of note", the letter said, adding that the signatories were disturbed by the developments.

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Prominent individuals like Mani Ratnam, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Jahnu Barua, Dibakar Bannerjee and critically acclaimed actress Vidya Balan have signed the letter.

The government, however, refused to budge.

"Unfortunately the students have taken an extremely hard line. We are ready to resolve all issues. We have had multiple talks with them. There have been innumerable back door negotiations with the students. Some of the legendary actors, directors, producers have negotiated on behalf of both, they have given up," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said at a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Panaji.

The protesting studnts were equally resolute

"We will continue to do whatever we can in our capacity as students to ensure that the government comes... so that there is a mutually agreeable solution to this," Ranjit Nair, a member of the core committee guiding the protest, told IANS on the phone from Pune.