Andhra Pradesh: Neet Aspirants Stage Silent Protest Seeking Reservation Reforms
The protesters, with black ribbons tied across their mouths, called for reservation based on economic status instead of caste: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: Students preparing for the Neet examination staged a silent protest at the GVMC Gandhi statue in Visakhapatnam on Monday, demanding reforms in the reservation system. The demonstration was organised by the Jana Jagarana Samiti (JJS) in support of the Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) Gen-Z movement.
The protesters, with black ribbons tied across their mouths, called for reservation based on economic status instead of caste.
The students demanded reservation based on income, limiting reservation benefits to one family per generation, mandatory minimum qualifying marks for all candidates, a ban on political promises relating to reservation during elections, and a time-bound policy with a sunset clause for periodic review.
Addressing the gathering, JJS state convener S.L.N. Vasu questioned how India could aspire to become a developed nation without ensuring opportunities for meritorious students. He alleged that successive governments had continued reservation policies without adequate reforms and claimed that deserving students were being forced to pursue opportunities abroad. He appealed to intellectuals and educated citizens to support reservation reforms.
Students from various colleges, along with JJS leaders Devara Shankar, Pitta Vikram Krishna and Korada Damodar Gupta, participated in the protest.
