Ramdas Athavale seeks reservations in Maharashtra's private universities

There should be reservations for backward classes in the self-financed private universities that would be set up in Maharashtra, RPI leader Ramdas Athavale said today."The state government ensured passage of the Private Universities Bill in haste, and there was no discussion on it in the assembly," Athavale said."This evokes suspicion and RPI condemns it. A discussion should have been held on such an important bill."The passage of the bill in haste showed that government was working under the pressure of education barons and industrialists, Athavale said.Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, faced with criticism over not providing for reservations for backward classes in the Private Universities Bill, had said yesterday that government was open to making amendment to the act in the next session.RPI would hold demonstrations in the state on August 23 to demand reservations in the Bill, Athavale said.