THE ANTI-RESERVATION stir spearheaded by the Forum of Indians against Reservation (FIR) at the IIT-K gained further momentum today with the announcement of ‘stayagrah’ on June 18 at Gandhi statue, Phoolbagh.
About 10,000 people are expected to take part in this ‘satyagrah’, the one of its only kind after the pre-independence movement.
Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, FIR members made a formal announcement to stage a peaceful satyagrah on June 18.
Talking to newspersons, FIR member Omendra Singh said, “Following the principles of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, we have decided to stage a peaceful satyagrah on June 18, at Gandhi statue, Phoolbagh.” The ‘satyagrah’ would start at 8 am and would continue up to 8 pm.“More than 500 students of IIT-K are expected to take part in the peaceful protest and we have apprised the district magistrate through our director about the stayagrah, added Singh.
However, He said their motive was to apprise the DM about the event and not to seek his permission.
“In a democracy every one has the right to stage a peaceful satyagrah and if the district administration does not approve the satyagrah then also we will go ahead,” stated Singh. An appeal was also issued to Kanpurites to play a pro-active role and register their presence at Gandhi statue on June 18.
{{/usCountry}}“In a democracy every one has the right to stage a peaceful satyagrah and if the district administration does not approve the satyagrah then also we will go ahead,” stated Singh. An appeal was also issued to Kanpurites to play a pro-active role and register their presence at Gandhi statue on June 18.
{{/usCountry}}This memorandum would be sent to the President of India, he said. FIR members also said that several prominent organisations of the city had extended their support to the satyagrah. This included Indian Industries Association (IIA), Kanpur Industrial Cooperative Estate Development, UP Leather Association, Hindu Mahasabha, Chatriya and Brahmin Mahasabha among other organisations. Another FIR member Chandershekhar Singh offered to hold talks with the pro-reservation lobby.
“We are ready to hold talks even with those supporting reservation and take into consideration their views,” he stated. Our objective is to find a solution to the contentious issue, he added. However, he asserted, “Reservation is no solution for the up-lift of the downtrodden members of the society.