Anti-reservationists woo villagers via 'Seva Yatra'

Varanasi, May 29: After mobilising support for their cause in the city, the anti-reservation medicos of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) today embarked on 'Arakshan Virodhi Seva Yatra' to connect with the population of neighbouring villages.

Led by three junior doctors -- Ankur Singh, Animesh Kumar and Mithilesh Pandey -- the 30-member team of MBBS students and young doctors this evening toured Dafi Susuwahi and other villages neighbouring BHU.

Talking to UNI Mahesh Kate, the leader of the anti-reservation movement in BHU, said earlier it was to be known as Rath Yatra, but since Rath Yatra is often used by political parties, ''we decided to change the name to Seva Yatra.'' The Yatra serves dual purpose of mobilising support for the movement in rural areas and taking medical care to the doorsteps of villagers.

The medicos were well equipped with medicines and other health facilities to take care of the needy in villages.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike of the junior doctors at the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital in BHU completed a fortnight today.

However, the parellel OPD services being provided by the agitating doctors outside the hospital building was closed.

''We now want to focus all efforts on enlightening the rural folks with the danger of reservation in higher education and hence make the movement a massive success. This is what has prompted us to close our OPD, but only for the time being,'' Dr Kate maintained.

The relay hunger strike also continued on the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) BHU campus.

UNI