MP Government to review reservation policy

NK SINGH

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Government on Sunday announced that the new reservation policy would not be implemented till it was reviewed even as the three-week-old anti-reservation stir of students spread to new areas and parents also joined the agitation at Indore. 

The Chief Minister, Mr Arjun Singh, announced that the government would review its new policy, providing 25 per cent reservation in jobs, promotions and admissions to professional colleges to backward communities.

He also told a meeting of office-bearers of students' unions of the various universities and colleges, besides some student leaders, that the policy would not be implemented till it was reviewed: The meeting had been convened by the Government to discuss the new reservation policy, which has triggered off a wave of protest all over the State.

State Govt. claim

The government's assurance not to implement the new policy is not considered important because last week the high court had stayed its implementation in any case. But much significance is attached in political circles to the promised review of the policy, particularly in the wake of similar assurances given by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Official sources also claimed that the students had agreed to call off their agitation, following the assurance given by Mr. Arjun Singh.

However, much credibility is attached to the claim because the Naveen Arakshan Virodhi Sangathan (NAVS), which is spearheading the current agitation, had decided to boycott the meeting convened by the Chief Minister, demanding withdrawal of the policy announcement before negotiations.

Meanwhile, the parents also jumped into the fray of the anti-reservation stir. At Indore, a big rally was held on Sunday by different social and cultural organisations.

Leading the rally was Mr Narendra Tiwari, the managing editor of Nai Dunia, a popular daily of the State. A former Minister and leading citizen of the town, Mr. Manohar Singh Mehta was also in the rally, reports reaching here said.

Jointly organised by different business and trade associations, the slogan-shouting rally marched from the historic Rajwada, in the heart of the city, to the Gandhi statue, about three km. away, where seven students are observing fast for the ninth consecutive day on Sunday, (adds PTI). A fresh batch of students sat near them in separate pandals on a 24-hour relay fast.

The rallyists later submitted a memorandum to Commissioner V. N. Kaul.

Peaceful stir

The condition of the hunger strikers was stated to be deteriorating, doctors attending to them say. An unending stream of sympathisers was enquiring about their health and some with tears in their eyes were seen urging them to break their indefinite fast.

The students' agitation in Indore has been peaceful so far and the students have not indulged in violence, it was officially stated.

Indian Express

March 4, 1985