The Hindu : National : Medicos take to the streets in Kolkata

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

National

National

Medicos take to the streets in Kolkata

Special Correspondent

They express solidarity with those participating in similar demonstrations elsewhere

KOLKATA: A section of the students and junior doctors of medical colleges of West Bengal took to the streets here on Tuesday in protest against the Centre's proposed quota system in institutions of higher education. Traffic in the central part of the city was disrupted for a while when the demonstrators put up a roadblock.

Carrying placards demanding ``equality for youth'' the demonstrators went in a procession from the Calcutta Medical College and converged on the centre of the city where they held a rally.

They raised slogans against Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh and against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for remaining silent on the quota issue.

Solidarity expressed

Some students of the Jadavpur and Calcutta Universities joined the protesters.

They expressed solidarity with those participating in similar demonstrations in other parts of the country. A delegation submitted a memorandum at the office of the Governor.

The local unit of the Indian Medical Association, which has supported the movement of the students, condemned the police action against agitating medicos in Delhi and Mumbai.

A spokesman said the association would convene a meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the Centre's proposed move and decide on the future course of action.

The demonstrators threatened a greater agitation if the Centre went ahead with its proposal for reservation of seats for those belonging to the Other Backward Classes in institutions of higher learning, including medical colleges.

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