Vijayawada: Taking the demand for implementation of reservations based on economic background to a new high, a B.Tech student R. Raviteja climbed a cell network tower at Eluru Road in Gunadala on Wednesday. He was protesting against the current reservation system which is on the basis of castes. At around 10.30 am, Raviteja, along with his friends reached the cell tower. While he climbed the tower and threatened to jump, four of his friends raised slogans holding placards and banners demanding reforms in the reservation system.
Raviteja demanded the government to consider economic background of a person for reservations or give bonus marks in entrance examinations to economically poor students. Meanwhile, police who entered the scene, tried to pacify Raviteja but he climbed further staying away from them. After nearly three hours of struggle, police managed to get Raviteja down after East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao reached the spot and spoke to him over phone. He was taken into custody later on charge of attempting suicide.
He also demanded police give a chance to speak to the media while speaking to them on phone. Speaking to reporters, Raviteja said that the poorer sections in the society, irrespective of castes are suffering due to reservations and it is time to reform the system. “Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan must react to the problem and help people get reservation on the basis of economic status of the students. He should reveal his party’s stand and act accordingly,” he said.
