Rattled by the unexpected protest by students against reservation of seats in higher education institutions, the Congress went into action on Thursday to prevent a violent backlash of the sort that was witnessed in the case of the anti-Mandal agitation. Party seniors also tried to dispel suggestions that there was a rift within the party on the issue. But coming on a day when Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi threw his weight behind HRD Minister Arjun Singh—in contrast to the the opposition voiced by Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday—it seemed they were buying time before coming out with a comprehensive party view on extending the quota in admissions to Central government-run institutions, including AIIMS, IITs and IIMs. Speaking in favour of reservations, Ravi said, ‘‘We should take into account the prevailing socio-economic reality of the backward communities and help them fight subjugation by giving them reservations.’’ He emphasised that the ‘‘question of merit’’ should not submerge the larger issue of ‘‘existing social reality’’ in the country. Before other individuals could voice their opinions on the subjects, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh stepped in to say, ‘‘Let me go on record and say that OBC reservation in higher educational institutions is a decision taken in consensus, and in line with the Common Minimum Programme.’’ Senior Congress functionaries said ‘‘there is nothing to be defensive about’’ OBC reservations. ‘‘The party will articulate its position more clearly and explicitly as soon as the assembly elections are over,’’ said a leader. However, alarmed by the prospect of the protests in front of Arjun Singh’s residence spiralling into a mass agitation like in 1990 after the National Front government implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations on job reservations, CWC member Oscar Fernandes summoned office bearers of DUSU, Jamia, JNU and national leaders of the Youth Congress and NSUI late on Wednesday night to rein in a possible outburst on the streets. A larger meeting of activists was called at the AICC office today so that student leaders opposed to reservation could also air their views rather than hitting the streets. Though the meeting was packaged as an internal feed back mechanism, the message was that the party expected its student activists to fall in line.
