Students protest against OBC quota
by Chandrika Jain

      New Delhi/Mumbai: Medical students across the country staged march on Tuesday to protest against the proposed OBC reservation in higher education institutions. Students from five medical colleges in New Delhi -- All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Lady Hardinge Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) - participated in the march under the banner "Equality for Youth" to protest against the reservation proposal. Apart from medical colleges, students from Delhi University, Indraprastha University and from Delhi College of Engineering also participated in the march. The medicos carrying placards with slogans like "Guess who hanged us?--Arjun Singh", "What decided me - my birth or my worth?", "ek-do, ek-do, Arjun Singh ko fenk do (throw away Arjun Singh)" marched from the Maulana Azad Medical College to the Parliament Street. Medical students were boycotting classes protesting against the proposed move.

    Vishal Sharma, representing the UCMS said that they would continue their protest through a series of sit-ins, demonstrations till the proposed Bill is scrapped. "Arjun Singh has said that he will issue a statement in this regard only after the elections are over. So we are waiting till May 11. But our agitation will continue". Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh had earlier said that he was ready to meet the striking medicos but was unable to talk on the reservation issue till the assembly polls in some states were over. "This is an issue on which Arjun Singh should take the decision quality-wise and not under any type of pressure, Chandrakanta8 representative of Niranjan Heath organisation supporting the protesting medicos, said. Rallies were also organised in Himachal Pradesh, Jipmer, Banaras, Manipal, Lucknow, Amritsar, Rohtak and Kolkata with huge participation of medical students. Arjun Singh's recent statement on this score has once again revived the Mandal issue after 16 years. Now, the reservation quota would be increased from 22.5 percent to 49.5 percent. Centre is likely to introduce a bill in Parliament during the second part of the session beginning May 10.

     Expressing their ire over the reservation proposal, hundreds of medical and engineering students in Patna took to the streets, starting from the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Students of the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital and National Institute of Technology also joined the PMCH medicos. "We are protesting against the reservation policy of Central Government. This policy will affect the country. A person who is not capable enough and becomes a professional will not be good for the public. Secondly, India due to its technical ability is emerging as a powerful nation and if we try to close doors for the capable students it will affect the development of the country," said Satya Prakash Tiwari, a medical student. "We want to know that why reservation should be given when we study in same class, have same subjects and our teachers are also same, then why should they be given reservation. Arjun Singh should tell us that what students will do after becoming doctors. We all study hard and put all efforts while other enjoys their life and will enjoy more after reservation," added Smita, another medical student form Patna. Extending support to the medical students in Delhi, medical students in Ludhiana took to streets and shouted slogans against HRD Minister Arjun Singh. "This is in support for the Delhi students who brought out this revolution. This is in support to them so that they don't feel that they are alone," said Amrinder Dhaliwal, a medical student from Ludhiana. Same sort of protests were also seen in Kolkata and Guwahati. While in Ahmedabad, students of several medical colleges, including N H L Municipal Medical College and B J Medical College, have decided to boycott classes for an indefinite period.

      Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh had earlier said that he was ready to meet the striking medicos but was unable to talk on the reservation issue till the assembly polls in some states were over. The pro-reservation activists, under the banner of the 'Indian Justice Party' criticised the protests by the medical students and doctors. Dr. Udit Raj, National Chairman from the 'Indian Justice Party' said reservation is necessary to bring about social justice. Similar protests were also witnessed in other states against the reservation. In Mumbai, a peaceful rally was organised today at Azad Maidan, CST. This rally was in sync with the all India protest against the hike in reservations called upon by 'Youth for Equality' group. A rally was organised in Patiala from GMC to Sher Wala Gate, where protestors took oath and presented a memorandum to the DC. Protests were held at Ludhiana and at Chandigarh, where a rally was organised at Matka chowk. Rallies were also organised in Himachal Pradesh, Jipmer, Banaras, Manipal, Lucknow, Amritsar, Rohtak and Kolkata with huge participation of medical students. In the latest move, the government plans to reserve 27 percent seats in all central universities over an above the existing quota, taking the total reservation to almost 50 percent, which means lesser number of seats for meritorious students from the general category. Arjun Singh's recent statement on this score has once again revived the Mandal issue after 16 years. Now, the reservation quota would be increased from 22.5 percent to 49.5 percent. Centre is likely to introduce a bill in Parliament during the second part of the session beginning May 10.

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