Arjun offers olive branch to students

NEW DELHI: A five-member delegation of medical college students met Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Thursday. But Singh did not give the students, who had started a protest against reservations on Wednesday, any assurances.

“He did not even utter the word ‘reservation’,” said Sasmit, who represented students from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. “Except for a glass of water, he gave us nothing.”

Singh was apologetic about the police action against the students on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, because of EC directives, I have to maintain silence till the polls are over,” he said.

The students have called off their agitation but will continue their strike. They will resume work at the outpatient departments but will not attend classes.

The students said they have no choice but to believe that Singh would talk to them before the matter reaches the Cabinet. “If he does not make a statement within a day after the polls, we will not be responsible for our actions,” said Anirudh, who represented students of the University College of Medical Sciences.