Minor scuffle took place between medical students and the policemen in New Delhi on Friday after the former, unhappy over not receiving an assurance from the Government on the issue of reservation in institutions of higher learning, went on an indefinite strike demanding the immediate withdrawal of the controversial proposal.
Coverage: The Reservation Issue
Agitationists broke through a chain of police who attempted to stop them as they were marching towards the Prime Minister's Office.
Police had a difficult time controlling the students, who appeared to have come out for the march without any definite route chalked out, moving from one road into another in the area blocking traffic.
Agitating against the Government's proposal to hike quota in institutions of higher learning, medical students of the capital today took out a major rally,
Raising slogans such as Arjun Singh Hai Hai, the students took out the rally under the aegis of 'Youth for Equality.'
The students had earlier announced that they would wait till the assembly election process was over for an assurance from the Government on the issue, failing which they would intensify their agitation.
"We had given the government time till May 12, 24 hours more after the election process was over, to give us an assurance in the matter. Now, we have no option left but to go on an indefinite strike," said Amitasha, a student of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC).
"We demand a statement on the issue from the prime minister. Nothing less than that will do," said Sujit Shukla, a student of Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College.
Belonging to the five premier medical colleges -- LHMC, VMMC, AIIMS, University College of Medical Sciences, MAMC -- of the capital, the students were already boycotting classes to protest the government's proposal for introducing reservation for Other Backward Classes in elite institutions for higher education and in Central universities.
More from rediff