Kalam asks striking students to ''come out of fasting mode''

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today appealed to agitating medical students to end their indefinite hunger strike and resume their ''normal student life''.

Dr Kalam, who met delegation of anti-reservation students this afternoon, asked the students to respect the sentiments of their parents and ''come out from the fasting mode''.

The President assured the students that the Government will simultaneously increase the number of seats in educational institutions under it, keeping in view the interests of all sections of the student community and to meet their aspirations for higher education.

Dr Kalam told them that an Oversight Committee will be constituted to draw up a time bound roadmap for implementing the decisions and that the Committee would submit a comprehensive report by August 31, 2006.

''The President assured them that Committee will draw up the action plan within the stipulated time,'' an official statement said.

''Dr Kalam made the students understand that every life is precious and that parents pin a lot of hopes on them to fulfill their educational pursuits and be gainfully employed,'' it added.

Earlier, Representative of students from the Delhi University, IIT and JNU, opposing 27 per cent OBC reservation, called on the President at Rashtripati Bhawan and submitted a four-point memorandum, which seeks permission to end their lives, besides other demands.

The representatives, under the aegis of 'Youth for Justice', said 22 students had appealed to the President to give them permission to kill themselves since ''their future was bleak''.

They also requested Dr Kalam not to give his assent to the Reservation Bill, set up a Commission of academicians, intellectuals and retired Chief Justices to review the existing reservation policy and a white paper on quotas.

''We put forth this demand because the Government's decision has completely destroyed our future....What do we live for? After studying so hard and securing well we don't have a bright future,'' Youth for Justice spokesperson Kapil Kumar told UNI.

He said this policy of the Government was only meant to secure caste-based votes.

''The government is playing with our future only to secure votes,'' he added.

Mr Kumar said the President had assured them that the general quota seats will not be affected and interest of all sections of society will be considered.

''Dr Kalam gave us a patient hearing and assured us that the general category students will not be allowed to suffer,'' he added.

He said the Youth for Justice was fully supporting the striking medicos in their agitation.

The UPA Left coordination meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, last night decided to implement in letter and spirit the 93rd Constitutional Amendment enabling 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions.

A specific bill will be brought in the Monsoon session of Parliament in this regard.

The striking doctors and students have been demanding complete roll-back of the proposal for 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher education institutions, besides setting up of a non-political judicial committee to review the existing reservation policy.

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