Actor Nilu Phule unhappy over opposition to reservation

Kolhapur, May 29 (UNI) Veteran Marathi actor Nilu Phule expressed unhappiness over the opposition to reservation and called it 'social disease being spread purposely by some sections'.

He was speaking at a function here yesterday where he was felicitated with the Bhai Madhavrao Bagal award which has been constituted in the memory of social reformer late Bhai Bagal to honour people for their oustanding contribution to different fields.

District Collector Pravin Darade presented the award to Mr Phule.

Speaking at the occassion, Phule said, ''The anti-reservation protest is a plot by vested interests who want lower caste people to serve people from the higher castes.'' He further said, ''Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took proper initiative over the reservation issue and agreed to hike the seats, the students have rejected the offer and it reached a state where some resorted to self-immolation. This is a bad trend being spread by some sections.'' Shivaji University Vice-Chancellor Dr Manikrao Salunkhe presided over the function.

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