PRO RESERVATION FRONT formed

Pro Reservation Front
B-113, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi-110017, Tel. : 26960022, Telefax : 26534559
Dr. Udit Raj - Convenor
Press Release

Public Meeting on 10th May to shun the anti-reservationists and to demand reservation for OBC, dismantle of Knowledge Commission

New Delhi, 9th May, 2006.
The Convenor of Arakshan Samarthak Morcha (Pro Reservation Front), Dr. Udit Raj, informed that a massive public meeting would be held at Jantar-Mantar on 10th May, 06 to rebuff anti-reservationists and to build the pressure on the govt. to implement reservation for OBC in IIT, IIM and universities.

Progressive, dalit and backward organisations, with strong public backing at a meeting on 5th May, formed Arakshan Samarthak Morcha (Pro Reservation Front) to give a befitting reply to a handful of people opposing the reservation policy. Dr. Udit Raj, President of Indian Justice and All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, was elected to lead the front. Satya Prakash and K. C. Yadav of Yadav Mahasabha, Kesari Singh Gurjar of Kisan Manch, Madhu Chandra of All India Christian Council, Babu Singh of Dehat Morcha, Rakesh Rafique of Yua Bharat, Pro. P.C. Patanjali of Backward Claseses Vikas Manch, J. C. Gola of Prajapati Mahasabha, Kanwar Pal of Haryana Dalit Backward Mahasangh, Lalji Chaurasia of Chaurasia Samaj, Ram Sharan Bhati of Gurjar Mahasabha, Vasudeo Yadav of OBC Railway Employees Fed., V. P. Nagar of A. I. Backward Classes Confederation and many such other organizations are its constituents.

Arakshan Samarthak Morcha has now decided to hold a grand rally at Jantar-Mantar on the 10th of May, 06, the day on which the Monsoon session of Parliament is due to begin to send a clear signal to the people who are opposing reservation that in the interest of social justice and harmony, they should stop their agitation immediately. The Pro Reservation Front strongly supports the govt. and Cabinet Minister, Shri Arjun Singh, for introducing 27% reservation in educational institutions for OBCs and urges that in case the govt. dithers on this issue, there will be nationwide protests and agitations in support of 27% reservation for OBCs.

Dr. Udit Raj pointed out that all talk of merit and high standards by a handful of anti-reservationists is just an expression of their self-interest. Still 50% of the seats are open for the general category students and they can show their merit and skills, if they so desire. It is a cheap gimmick on the part of doctors to have paraded themselves on the roads with 'brooms' in their hands this shows their mindset that 'sweeping' is not a respectable job and is meant for the people belonging to backward classes. Many of the students get admission into private medical and engineering colleges by paying huge capitation fees. Are these professions not adversely affected by this practice of capitation fees? If merit is the sole criterion the doctors should have protested against this practice.

The doctors claim to be fighting for all upper caste people but actually some self-centered people are fighting with ulterior motives. The upper class common people do not stand to gain anything from this agitation, which is meant to serve the interests of elite doctors.

Dr. Udit Raj said that the so-called Knowledge Commission is to be dismantled immediately and majority of its members are not connected to grass root reality - caste discrimination, problems of tribal and village society, however, they may be having bookish knowledge and plethora of references and that is not sufficient to lead such Commission.

(B. P. Singh)
Office Secretary