Flash protests stun Marine Drive

People enjoying their evening walk on Marine Drive on Friday evening were in for a surprise when hundreds of youngsters shouting slogans and holding banners appeared on the scene.

They were students from five medical colleges, interns and doctors - marching together, protesting against the alleged assault and subsequent arrest of fellow medical students in Delhi, who were protesting against the proposed increase in the backward classes quota. 

The students organised a rally at 9pm from the Air-India building to Girgaum Chowpatty in support of their Delhi counterparts.

Dr Keyur Dave, an intern at KEM hospital said, “We do not want a decrease in the number of open merit seats. The government has framed policy based on the 1931 census.”

JJ Medical College students said, “We demand the students in Delhi be released immediately. The government has divided us. HRD Minister Arjun Singh had said he would speak to students on May 11. We need an answer.”

Dr Rudra who finished his internship at KEM medical college last year and belongs to the OBC caste said, “All students have realised that reservation is a game of votes. I belong to an OBC caste and I don’t need reservations. Reservations should be based on economic basis. My friends, who are also OBC’s, have also come out to protest.” The group distributed pamphlets, urging people to join the protests.