ASSISTANT PROFESSOR in the Computer Science Department of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, Dr Bhaskar Raman, today came out in open support of the Forum of Indians against Reservation (FIR) members sitting on indefinite relay hunger strike on the IIT-K premises here.The atmosphere on the 13th day of the hunger strike was overwhelming as the FIR members were joined in the hunger strike with their faculty.
Sitting on indefinite relay hunger strike, Prof Bhaskar Raman felt the action did not mean that he was against the government. He was only protesting the government’s reservation policy, he said.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Prof Bhaskar Raman said, “Every citizen has the right to express his views and only if I refuse teaching in the IIT-K, the government has the right to think of taking any disciplinary action against me or any other faculty lending support to the students protesting the proposed quota hike.”
Prof Bhaskar Raman on Friday sat on relay hunger strike with FIR members.
Moreover, according to sources in the IIT-K, several other professors are also likely to join the strike. A meeting in this regard was held among the faculties on Friday evening on the IIT-K premises.
Prof Bhaskar Raman lamented reservation and said, “Reservation is a shame and it is no solution to any problem.” When Prof Bhaskar Raman was asked for his views on reservation, he said, “Reservation is nothing but a political compulsion before the government and by doing so it would spoil the career of several talented youths of the country.”
{{/usCountry}}Prof Bhaskar Raman lamented reservation and said, “Reservation is a shame and it is no solution to any problem.” When Prof Bhaskar Raman was asked for his views on reservation, he said, “Reservation is nothing but a political compulsion before the government and by doing so it would spoil the career of several talented youths of the country.”
{{/usCountry}}A senior faculty of IIT-K, seeking anonymity while talking to Hindustan Times, said, “Students and faculties are one soul here and when our children are disturbed how can anyone expect us to live a normal life. From next week more faculty members would sit on relay hunger strike with members of FIR.”
Meanwhile, seemingly happy with the open support of IIT-K faculty, FIR member Chandrashekhar, said, “Today we have got open support of one faculty and we are expecting active support of faculties in future.”
FIR members and others are going to intensify the stir soon.
“If these states cut down the tax imposed on petrol and diesel then UP would follow-suit,” asserted Agarwal.
On the statewide protest proposed on June 13, Agarwal stated that a mass public mobilisation campaign would be launched to make the agitation a success.