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EVENTS ON 22nd May : BLACK OUT at 8 pm all over India

On the 22nd of May 2006, the UPA Government completes two years in power. On this day, we appeal to the general public to come out in support of us to observe a black out by switching off all lights for 10 minutes from 8pm. We need your support in our agitation against caste based reservation.

Also in Orissa, a rally at Bhubaneshwar is being held by all the 3 medical colleges and being joined by students and people across all fields.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Following are the demands on which YFE is negotiating with the Union Govt. in Delhi

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

Deferral of the proposed hike in reservation in the central universities.

AND

An Expert Commission should be formed which would explore all the avenues of affirmative actions, review the efficiency of reservation1 as an affirmative action (considering both its benefits and drawbacks) and compare the efficiencies of the all possible affirmative actions. Thus it should come up with a fool proof and time bound strategy to uplift and empower the backward sections of our country without interfering with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

Implementation of the proposed extended reservation policy and any other new reservation policy only after the commission has submitted its report.

A white paper on the reservation policy.

1 We view reservations as a limited step to provide opportunities for the backward sections of our country to acquire education and employment.

AND

Places in the Government jobs that are remaining vacant due to lack of eligible candidates from the reserved category should be opened for other eligible candidates immediately.

AND

No action should be taken against the agitating students, interns and resident doctors in any form as regards to service break, termination, pay deduction, legal action etc.


AND

The Hon’ble Prime Minister should give a concrete statement on the issue.







WHAT DO WE MEAN BY EXPERT COMMISSION?

It should be a non-political non-parliamentary commission with members from judicial, social sciences, educational, scientific background. It should be formed in15 days and should submit its report within 1 year’s time.

WHAT WOULD BE ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVE?

To come up with a fool proof and time bound* strategy to uplift and empower the backward sections of our country without interfering with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

WHAT SHOULD IT DO?

1) It would explore all the avenues of affirmative actions.
2) It would assess the efficiency of the existing reservations taking into consideration both its benefits and drawbacks. #
3) It would compare the efficiency of other means of affirmative actions with that of reservations.
4) It should find ways other than affirmative actions, which would help in changing the socio-economic system, which breeds exploitation and inequality.
5) It should come up with socio-economic criteria, which would exclude the affluent and those already having access to jobs and higher education. **
6) It should fix parameters to determine the degree of upliftment and empowerment of the backward sections so that when adequate degree is achieved the Government should stop the policy of affirmative actions.
7) It should always keep in mind that the affirmative actions whatever suggested by the Commission should never interfere with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

*We want that whatever affirmative actions would be followed should have an end-point defined. Parameters should be defined after which there would be no need for affirmative actions in the same lines as they are being given till date.

**Creamy layer should be applied for all.

#While assessing the policy the Commission should take in account the current data about the population distribution.

DELHI CHALO !!!

This is an earnest appeal to everyone to step forward and join us on 20th May at 8 am in our “Delhi Chalo March” from Maulana Azad Medical College .

We appeal to all the responsible citizens of the country to step forward and support our cause that concerns one and all. We, the Youth for Equality, are a group of like minded young citizens who are against the governments’ illogical reservation policies. We conducted a number of peaceful protests for a month, but were ignored and lathi-charged. Thus we were not left with any other option but to go on strike. We apologize that there would be inconvenience for a short period of time.

Who is going to benefit from these reservation policies? Do you think a common person, working in a road-side dhaba or one who is living in a remote village will be benefited? Our answer is NO. We believe yours will be the same. The people who enjoy the benefits of reservation are the cream of the so-called “backward class”. These people are already economically sound. The really needy are left high and dry.

The government has failed to strengthen the basic infrastructure like primary schools and healthcare. What is the standard of our government schools? How many children continue their schooling beyond 5th class in our country? A reserved category doctor is provided a level playing field with the rest during his 6 year MBBS training. Then why reservations for MD/MS courses? Do you want sub-standard doctors to perform surgeries on you? Atleast the highest level of education should be purely merit based.

This cause affects all of us. This may be our only chance to prevent such atrocious policies from being implemented.
This is an earnest appeal to everyone to step forward and join us on 20th May at 8 am in our “Delhi Chalo March” from Maulana Azad Medical College .

THIS APPEAL IS GOING NOT ONLY TO STUDENTS BUT THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. IF YOU ARE A SCHOOL or COLLEGE STUDENT / WORKING INDIVIDUAL / A PARENT / SENIOR CITIZEN STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO POSTERITY.

Email: youth4equality@gmail.com
Helpline: 9899832139, 9810760157

We are expecting people from Punjab, Haryana, U.P., Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal. We are in touch with YFE members across the country.
THERES A GOOD NEWS........150 STUDENTS FROM GUJARAT WILL BE JOINING US TOM IN DELHI. Kudos to these people for coming at such short notice.

A CANDLE MARCH IS BEING ORGANISED AT 6 PM IN MUMBAI FROM SHIVAJI PARK TO BANDRA on 20th May. SIMILAR PROTESTS ARE PLANNED IN GUJARAT AND MYSORE. Those cities who cant make it tomorrow to Delhi.......plz organise similar events in your area.

14th MAY : INDEFINITE STRIKE BY YFE :: IMA PITCHES IN -- --- --- -- CALLING NON-MEDICOS TOO

After the shocking incident yesterday in Mumbai, no concerned Indian can sit still...... (for details read next post).

TO PROTEST THE PROPOSED RESERVATIONS AS WELL AS EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BRAVE MUMBAI FRIENDS, YOUTH FOR EQUALITY IS GOING ON INDEFINITE STRIKE...

The 5 medical colleges in Delhi are on HUNGER STRIKE from 14th May and have gathered at AIIMS.

The resident doctors of hospitals associated with these colleges are on undefinite strike from 13th May.
AIIMS
UCMS and GTB Hospital
LHMC and Suchetra Kriplani
MAMC and Lok Nayak Hospital
VMMC and Safdarjung hospital
RML Hospital.

ALSO IMA (Indian Medical Association) both DELHI and MUMBAI chapters have called for a 24 hour strike on 15th May, MONDAY. They have asked both Govt and Private doctors to join the strike.
An all-India action plan will be drawn up when the apex body of IMA meets on 20th May.
We thank the IMA for their support.

We also are aware that many other colleges across the country are on strike and warmly welcome them. We promise to list them soon. Meanwhile please be patient and continue with the movement in ur areas. You people are certainly not any less important than us in the metro cities.

WE APPEAL TO ALL NON-MEDICOS TO ALSO JOIN US.
Already many have done so. Still there's this perception that YFE is limited to medicos only. ITS LARGELY DUE TO THE FACT that medical colleges have taken initiative uptil now. Only few people from other fields have joined in. However if you read the 1st post on this blog dated 8th April----- we have clearly stated
THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU OR ME.....THIS IS ABOUT US
Hope this clears any doubts. This forum is NOT limited to Medicos.

MUMBAI 13th May: Peacefully protesting Students beaten up by police....SHAME! SHAME!

Dear friends and fellow members of Youth for Equality,

We all know what happened at Mumbai on 13th May. We saw it on our TV sets, read it in the papers, heard it on radio. We are all deeply anguished and our blood boiled when we saw scenes of how the Mumbai students were being beaten up.

In case you missed out.....hear it straight from the Mumbai YFE on their new blog http://www.yfemumbai.blogspot.com

The government has yet again displayed its total apathy on the issue. Its been over 2 days after the election commission's restrictions are over and we are yet to hear an answer. Mr. Prime Minister are you listening to us????

Kudos to the Mumbaikers for their unwavering determination and strength. They remained non-violent till the end, even when such brutality was being lashed upon them.
Several of them suffered injury, about 40 are grievously injured, while there are some who have suffered fractures of bones of arm, leg and jaw ; in addition to bleeding into joint cavities for some. Many others were treated for minor injuries.

Kudos also to our friends from all other cities who not only condemned the incident but came out on the streets in protest. Friends, you may feel the media attention is only on Delhi and Mumbai, but its you guys who form the bulk of the movement and inspire us to move forward.

Friends the struggle is far from over....... we have to consolidate our resources, to be organised and united till the very end..........

Friends, some of us may start feeling depressed and feel the situation is hopeless.......
BUT NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.........WE HAVE TO STRIKE WHEN THE IRON IS HOT....... WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE..........WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.........and if our voice is not reaching to our 'LEADERS' WE WILL MAKE IT REACH THEM.

MAY 12TH A BIG BANG

Close to a thousand students gathered at LHMC at 9 in the morning to continue their protests against extension of reservations. After learning that our "Hon'ble(?)" HRD Minister has refused to comment on the issue even after the elections were over, the students decided spontaneously to start a march. The students rushed out of the Gates of LHMC, dodging the police and RAF deployment and blocked the Connaught Place at several places. Then the students proceeded towards the historic India Gate lawns, dodging thousands of policemen and RAF deployed along the route. After Running for about twelve kilometres, the students managed to reach within half a kilometre of the corridors of power (North & South Blocks, & Rashtrapati Bhawan). There we sat down on the historic Rajpath to wait for a reply from the government. But then....

DEPLORABLE ACTION OF DELHI POLICE
On May 12th, peacefully protesting medical students were manhandled, lathicharged, hit by water cannons and tear gas shells were rained upon them. Even shots were fired in the air.... but none of the YOUTH FOR EQUALITY backed up, they were detained for more than six hours at various police stations and threatened with dire consequences lest we take back our movement. Is this how the government of INDIA treats its future?We request all visitors to this blog to register their protest at this incident by sending mails to the Commissioner of Delhi Police (delpol@del2.vsnl.net.in), and the Prime Minister of India (http://www.pmindia.nic.in/), and the National Human Rights Commission (dg-nhrc@nic.in) .

OUR NEXT STEP

YOUTH FOR EQUALITY

MARCH FROM LADY HARDINGE MEDICAL COLLEGE TO JANTAR MANTAR ON 12th MAY AT 10 a.m.
Now that the elections are over and everybody in the govt. is free to speak, we are highly dissappointed that our honourable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is still silent on the issue of extension of reservations.We had submitted a petition to him on the 2nd of may and are still waiting for a response from his side.
Classes are being boycotted in all 5 medical colleges of Delhi since the 27th of april but does it really matter to him?
As he has not responsed as yet we are planning a huge MARCH from LADY HARDINGE MEDICAL COLLEGE (LHMC) TOWARDS JANTAR MANTAR STARTING AT 10 a.m. on 12th MAY to remind him of our intentions .Students from all 5 medical colleges would be joined by students from I.P. University and D.U.

NOW THE TIME HAS COME FOR EACH ONE OF US TO MAKE THIS GOVT. REALIZE THAT THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT TAKE THIS INJUSTICE HANDS DOWN.SO BE THERE AT LHMC BY 10 a.m. TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE OF THE GOVT.

WE APPEAL TO ALL COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY TO JOIN US IN THE PROTESTS.

MAY 2 A HUGE SUCCESS

OUR PROTEST FROM MAMC TO PARLIAMENT STREET on 2nd may was a HUGE SUCCESS.

Students from ENGINEERING colleges,DELHI UNIVERSITY,I.P. University,SCHOOL STUDENTS and even GENERAL PUBLIC joined us in our protest.
A signature campaign was launched on a 50 metre long paper roll which was spread out on parliament street.
The students present also took a pledge not to vote for this incompetent & insensitive congress govt. in the next general elections.

Simultaneously protests were held in various cities of the country.
MUMBAI-Azad Maidan 17 colleges joined the protest.

PUNJAB
Amritsar
Patiala
Ludhiana
Chandigarh

HIMACHAL PRADESH
Shimla
Kangra

PONDICHERRY

GUJARAT
Ahmedabad

KARNATAKA
Bangalore
Mangalore
Manipal

ORISSA
Cuttack
Bhubhaneswar

HARYANA
Rohtak

UTTAR PRADESH
Lucknow
Varanasi

WEST BENGAL
Kolkata

We would thank our friends from all these cities who have come out to support us in this endeavour.

We have also received e-mails,phone calls from various parts of the country and even abroad. Some of the e-mails have been replied to, and we will try to reply to the remaining as far as possible.

We have miles to go before we succeed, so keep the fire burning.

THE ROAD AHEAD

YOUTH FOR EQUALITY (YFE) is no more in the initial stages.

The movement has spread all across India, and now everyone knows who we are and what we stand for.

YOUTH FOR EQUALITY though started by Delhi medical colleges is by no means restricted to the medical fraternity. YOUTH FOR EQUALITY is FOR THE YOUTH OF INDIA.

We definitely seek support from all Indians, but only as Citizens of India, not as political parties or NGOs. We are NOT POLITICAL in nature and neither are we against any community/ caste. We only stand for EQUALITY and have members from all sections of society.

As decided on 28th April, we have the following demand.

We are against the proposed extension of reservations (27% for OBCs), and want it scrapped.

OUR PLAN-

We are not letting the fire die out. We plan to continue the protests in varied forms throughout the country.

On 2nd May, all Colleges (Technical/Non-technical), Universities will hold a PEACEFUL march in DELHI.
Simultaneously, other people supporting us can hold similar protests in various parts of India.

The HRD minister Mr Arjun Singh has asked time till election commission restrictions are in place. We will give him 24 hours after that to clarify his position on the issue.
If the need arises we will then have a MASS AGITATION.

We make an appeal to the entire youth of India to come forward and support us.

List of Colleges supporting Youth for Equality-
DELHI
The 5 medical colleges of Delhi (UCMS, AIIMS, MAMC, LHMC, VMMC)
PUNJAB
Patiala - Govt Medical College
Chandigarh - Govt Medical College
Faridkot Medical College
Amritsar - Govt Medical College
Ludhiana - Dayanand Medical Colleges
CMC Ludhiana
BJS Dental College
Punjab Agricultural University Students
HARYANA
Rohtak - Pt BD Sharma PGIMS
Ambala -M.M. Medical College Mulana
RAJASTHAN
Bikaner Medical College
MADHYA PRADESH
Jabalpur Medical College
MAHARASHTRA
All 5 Medical Colleges of Mumbai
MIMSR (Latur)
GMC (Latur)
GMC (Ambejogai)
GMC (Nagpur)
NKPS (Nagpur)
GMC (Yawatmal)
GMC (Aurangabad)
MGM (aurangabad)
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Shimla - Indira Gandhi Medical College(IGMC)
Kangra- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College
JHARKHAND
Ranchi (Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences)
UTTAR PRADESH
Kanpur- GSVM Medical College
Allahabad- Motilal Nehru NIT
Varanasi-IMS-BHU
Bareilly-IET MJPR University
PONDICHERRY
Jipmer
WESTBENGAL
Kolkata-Calcutta National Medical College
NRS Medical College
IPGMER
RG Kar Medical College
GUJARAT
Jamnagar
Rajkot
Baroda
Ahmedabad
ORISSA
Cuttack-SCB Medical College
Bhubhaneswar- Govt.Medical College
Behrampur
Sambalpur
KARNATAKA
Bangalore-Bangalore Medical College
Mangalore- KMC
Manipal-KMC,MIT
Project coffee
BIHAR
Patna-PMCH,NMCH

Please contact us through this blog-

If you represent your college/any group (no political parties please) - Then leave ur college name & contact no. /e-mail at youth4equality@gmail.com

For Mumbai you can contact our representative at yfemumbai@gmail.com

For any other general comments- Leave them at Comments at the bottom of this page

The Story till the 28th of April

THE STORY TILL NOW

17th April - BLACK DAY held in all Delhi medical colleges to show solidarity on the issue.

19th April - Demonstration held at Raj Ghat. Over 700 medical students join in.

26th April - A peaceful protest was to be held in front of HRD minister's residence. Our buses were hijacked and taken to Jantar Mantar. AIIMS and UCMS managed to reach Tughlaq Road, but were carted off to Jantar Mantar after few hours. We waited at Jantar Mantar and gave a deadline to HRD minister to come and meet us. Deadline is not met and the students then marched peacefully on Janpath. Students are barricaded, water cannoned and tear gased. Event is covered prominently on major TV channels and print media.

27th April - Demonstration at INDIA GATE. HRD minister invites our representatives to talk. 5 representatives meet him. The minister delays his comments till state elections are over. The strike by students continues though Interns and residents return to duties.

28th April- The fire has spread across the nation. Demonstrations in Bangalore, Amritsar,Ludhiana and Rajkot. Meanwhile students continue with demonstrations at India gate.

28th April - Press conference at AIIMS on behalf of Youth for equality. Youth for Equality appeals to all colleges in India to have peaceful protests in their respective cities, and support the cause. We should be in contact to have an effective mass agitation IF REQUIRED.

YOUTH FOR EQUALITY

"I have referred to efficiency & our getting out of our traditional ruts........I dislike any kind of reservation, more particularly in services.I react strongly to anything which leads to second class standards........If we go in for reservations on communal & caste basis we swamp the bright & able people......I WANT MY COUNTRY TO BE FIRST-CLASS COUNTRY IN EVERYTHING.THE MOMENT WE ENCOURAGE SECOND CLASS, WE ARE LOST..............This way lies not only folly but disaster."
--Pt. Nehru
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WHO ARE WE?
Youth for Equality is an initiative by Medical students & professionals from
UCMS(UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES), AIIMS(ALL INDIA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES), LHMC(LADY HARDINGE MEDICAL COLLEGE), VMMC(VARDHMAN MAHAVIR MEDICAL COLLEGE), MAMC(MAULANA AZAD MEDICAL COLLEGE) .....who feel strongly against populist measures (reservations on basis of caste, religion) which are wrong, unjust and harmful for India's future.


WHAT DO WE WANT?
We want the government to immediately scrap reservations.

WHY?
1.Reservations compromise the quality of medical care as merit is ignored and those who might not be competent enough might get seat.
2.Reservations have been a colossal failure.If 60 years after initiating reservations the govt is feeling the need to extend them, it is but obvious that these measures have failed.Needed instead are newer & more innovative measures like better facilities.
3.Reservations are crutches which severely limit the ability of such backward communities to equal or even better others.
4.Such measures do not benefit the really improverished and backward people, rather only end up dividing us.
5.Reservations add momentum to the already increasing trend of braindrain


We feel that NOW is the time to take matters in our hands as it is OUR future at stake.

For our voice to be heard, it is imperative to form a representative body of students from all across India. We shouldn't be divided into Eng, medical, law, arts, science, commerce, etc.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU OR ME , THIS IS ABOUT US.


HOW TO GO ABOUT ACHIEVING THIS?
1) MOBILISING PUBLIC OPINION. Via media, demonstrations, signature campaigns.
2) LEGAL RECOURSE. Filing PIL (esp against reservation at postgraduate level)

Therefore we invite all Indians who feel stongly about this and wish to contribute in some way. We should be united, and make a powerful statement on this issue.


We realise that achieving this is an uphill task.... but we also believe ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

We really would like your suggestions on how to effectively form such a body, and carry this forward.
Write to youth4equality@gmail.com

We are also on Orkut....see link on this page

We have received some comments and are thankful for same. However we request you to put your name, if not then atleast ur institution and batch.we also request u to kindly leave ur mail id's so that we can send u an invitation to join the group and support our common cause.