I am ready to talk to docs: Arjun

New Delhi: Union Minister for Human Resource Development Arjun Singh has said that he is ready to talk to the protesting doctors and students about his proposal to resereve seats for Other Backward Castes in educational institutions.

Addressing a press conference Arjun Singh said, "I am always ready to talk to the students."

Singh rejected suggestions for a "relook" into the proposals for reservation in educational institutions and said it was upto Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to decide when to bring the matter to the Cabinet.

Singh said the Lok Sabha is united on reserving seats for OBCs in educational institutions and no party is against the proposal.

Replying to a question Singh said that he is not authorised to speak what decison the Cabinet would take on the issue.

He also said that the National Knowledge Commission is not above the Constitution and added that he was not willing to talk to them.

When asked if the protests by the doctors and students across the country signalled the start of Mandal II, Singh replied that there is a propaganda to blow up the whole issue.

"We are not a banana republic," he said.

He added that a middle path can be worked out only when the two parties come to the negotiating table and not by slogan shouting and lathi charges.

The agitating students in Delhi said that they were not expecting the minister to say anything new.

Meanwhile the Indian Medical Association has asked for Mumbai Police Commissioner AN Roy's resignation.

The IMA claims that Roy's denial that any lathi charge was ordered on the agitating doctors was an irresponsible statement.

"We are deeply disturbed by his statements and demand his resignation," IMA President, Sunita Kshirsagar, said.

Members of the medical community, from medical students to interns, junior and senior doctors, will hold a silent protest march in Mumbai and present a list of their demands to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday.

"We will hold a silent protest march from Azad Maidan to Mantralaya and meet the Chief Minister," Kshirsagar said.

The doctors are hopeful of a positive response from the Chief Minister and added that way they may not even have to go on a strike.

They have also agreed to make arrangements to provide medical attention to critically ill patients even if the doctors have to go on strike.

"We assure you that no critically ill patient will be denied treatment," Kshirsagar added.

(With inputs from Deborah Grey)