Sons of the soil should get seats in IIT: PMK

CHENNAI: Questioning the secular nature of IIT Madras, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss on Wednesday accused it of being a fortress of the upper class.

Addressing a demonstration here,organised by the Pattali Manavar Sangam (PMS), the PMK's student wing, Ramadoss supported the proposed move for reservation for OBCs in institutions of higher education.

Criticising the vested interests who were against such reservations, he said as "sons of the soil, the OBC community of Tamil Nadu has every right to seats in the IIT here."

He also termed as utterly baseless the accusation that introducing such reservation would prevent foreign students from studying in this esteemed institution.

He also drew attention to the fact that in the recently announced civil services results two students belonging to the OBC community had secured the 4th and 84th ranks in the General category itself.

"Real intellect lies among the backward community. Why give only 27 per cent, give them 50 per cent, it is their birth right," Ramadoss said, adding the "Congress-DMK-PMK combine at the Centre will ensure that it is implemented."