Navjot Singh Sidhu attends anti-reservation rally

New Delhi, May 20 : Unlike people of his ilk, BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu came out in support of the massive anti-reservation rally by doctors and medical students and asked them to continue with the agitation till the Government softens its stand on the contentious issue.

''We are not against the backward classes or their uplift.

The government must ensure that they get primary education so that they are capable enough to compete at higher level on merit,'' Mr Sidhu said in his address to more than 5,000 protestors including doctors, medical students from across the nation and scores of people from various walks of life, at Jantar Mantar here.

Asking the protestors, opposing the Government's proposal of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions, to continue with agitation till the Government relents, he said merit should not become a ''victim of vote bank'' politics.

''The Government must open more institutions to ensure education for all. The existing reservation policy is not fair on meritorious students,'' he added.

The Cricketer-turned-politician said the Government was trying to divide the entire nation on caste basis.

''Merit should not be compromised and the agitation should go on till the government relents,'' he said.

Waving placards and raising anti-Arjun Singh and anti-reservation slogans, about 5,000 protestors, under the aegis of Youth for Equality', paraded towards Jantar Mantar from Maulana Azad Medical College.

The marchers of the 'Chalo Delhi Rally', were shouting ''Abolish Reservation'', ''Bring Back Merit'' and ''Down with Arjun Singh'' slogans, and demanding complete roll-back of the Government proposal and review of the existing reservation policy.

UNI