Thursday, April 27 2006 14:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Under attack over his controversial proposal for reservation for OBCs in elite educational institutions, HRD Minister Arjun Singh today (Apr 27, 2006) said he was ready to meet the agitating medicos but expressed his inability to talk on the reservation issue due to Election Commission directives.

"I was pained by the news that a number of students of medical colleges wanted to meet me (on the reservation issue) and were not allowed to come and see me," he said.

"Unfortunaltely, because of the directions of the Election Commission I am not in a position to interact with them and I have to maintain silence till the elections are over," he said in a statement.

Scuffles broke out between students and the police yesterday as hundreds of medicos marched towards Singh's Akbar Road residence. Police fired tear gas shells and water canons to disperse the students, who had not taken prior permission.

Asserting that he was open to meet anybody who came to meet him, Singh said "Of course there has to be some limitations on the numbers."

"Still if anybody wants to meet me, I have no hesitation to meet them as may be requested," he said.

Ministry sources said Singh has asked the Delhi Police to remove deployment of forces near his residence here.

Students and interns of five medical colleges in the capital went on an indefinite strike today protesting against the proposed move to increase OBC quotas in educational institutions.