M A I N   N E W S

IMA splits, new group favours quota

New Delhi, May 23
Close on the heels of a division in the AIIMS' faculty on the issue of quota, cracks appeared in the Indian Medical Association, which has been supporting the protesters, with the doctors belonging to backward classes setting up a new body to favour the government's reservation proposal.

The Indian National Medical Association, the new "apolitical" group, accused some doctors of the forward classes of dominating the medical body, and alleged these doctors were "politically motivated" in flaring up the anti-reservation agitation.

"If the Constitution has provided the provision of reservation to uplift the SC/ST and backward classes, why these doctors are opposing it," Dr S P Singh, president of the newly-setup group, said.

The reservation was needed to give social justice to backward groups, he said, adding that those who were opposing the reservation should go to villages to see the real picture of the country.

The group also said while a lot of noise was being made on the issue of merit, nobody questioned the merit of those who got admissions in medical colleges by paying capitation fee.

"Scientifically, it has been proven that genetics contributes only 10 per cent to intelligence while 90 per cent is contributed by environment," Singh said, adding that the government move would benefit the unprivileged classes.

The group demands the reservation for the OBCs in proportion to their population, that is 55 per cent in all educational institutes, Dr U K Chowdhary, general secretary, of the group, said.

Dr Singh said the IMA's stand on the issue did not represent the views of all its members. He said INMA was formed to check anti-reservation supporters within the IMA.

The INMA president, who was flanked by five SC/ST and OBC members of the IMA, said the reservation would provide the marginalised section of the society an opportunity to progress.

However, he was very critical of the members of the Knowledge Commission, who were opposing it.— UNI

Mumbai IIT students split on quota
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, May 23
Students at the Indian Institute of Technology campus at Powai in Mumbai are splitting on pro and anti quota lines with supporters on both sides holding hunger strikes within the campus.

While the opponents of quota began a chain hunger strike two days ago, those supporting reservation began their own protest today.

At present, more than 600 anti-quota protesters are protesting on a lawn at the IIT campus. On the other side, 22 students are on hunger strike on the road within the campus.

According to a spokesperson, the IIT administration beefed up security to prevent untoward incidents in the campus.

However, students on both sides said they did not mind their colleagues having an opposing view point. "It's a free country, any one can protest," says T Surendran, an opponent of reservation. Both sides have put up banners plugging their own cause.

The supporters of quota say, they would like the IIT management to implement quota in the coming academic year itself. "They must implement quota as fast as possible in keeping with the Central government decision," says Ravi Shinde a supporter of quota.

A statement attributed to cricketer- turned-comedian Navjot Singh Sidhu has worked up a lather among the backward caste students of the IIT. Angry students said they would like to take on the Sidhu for his casteist remarks. 'Kawwa kabhi sher nahin ban sakta,' Sidhu has been allegedly quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, opponents of quota in different parts of Mumbai participated in a lights-out protest in different parts of Mumbai. At the IIT campus, several students and faculty switched off lights for 10 minutes from 8 pm Monday night.

Similar 'light-out' protests were observed in neighbourhoods like Ghatkopar in Mumbai, reports said.