Students step up protests against caste quotas

NEW DELHI: Students on Tuesday stepped up protests against government plans to reserve more places for lower-caste students at top colleges.

About 1,000 protestors, including school children who skipped classes and college students, marched in the heart of New Delhi under the watchful eye of riot police.   

They shouted slogans against Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh, who has proposed raising the number of seats set aside for lower caste students to 50 percent from 22.5 percent.   

The proposal drew an immediate reaction from students because acceptance at state-sponsored elite universities is highly competitive. Upper-caste students argue places should be awarded solely on merit.   

Similar protests erupted across the country on Tuesday with students staging rallies in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Madras, as student unions warned of larger demonstrations on May 11 if the government does not withdraw the proposal.   

Singh has said the quotas will allow millions of India's so-called backward castes to enjoy the best education available.   

While caste discrimination is outlawed, those at the bottom of the rigid system still face discrimination over jobs and education.   

The proposal has also divided the federal cabinet, with Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal saying no move "should be taken to dilute the level of excellence in research and development and educational institutions, which will negatively impact our ability to compete in the global economy".