Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday made a fresh appeal to students protesting against reservations in higher educational institutions to call off their strike.
He requested them to have faith in the government to protect legitimate interests of all sections of the student community.
"I request all those who are agitating on the quota issue to call off their agitation and have faith in our government to protect the legitimate interests of all sections of our student community," he said, addressing a gathering of leaders of the ruling UPA and its allies on the coalition's second anniversary.
The Centre, Singh said, was convinced of the need to have a "fair, just and inclusive" education system "where every section of the society feels that there is scope for their youth to acquire knowledge and skills as per their needs".
Observing that there shall be no ambiguity in the Centre's commitment to work assiduously for the well-being of all sections of the society, Singh said, "we have to work to protect the legitimate interests of all students. We will provide education opportunities for all our children".
Noting that the country's youth was "our greatest asset", the Prime Minister said "we will pay special attention to the needs of socially backward classes, while ensuring that no deserving student would be denied an opportunity to receive education".
{{/usCountry}}Noting that the country's youth was "our greatest asset", the Prime Minister said "we will pay special attention to the needs of socially backward classes, while ensuring that no deserving student would be denied an opportunity to receive education".
{{/usCountry}}The function, among others, was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Cabinet Ministers and MPs.