"The spectre of violent anti-caste demonstrations loomed over India last night after the government vowed to press ahead with plans to reserve almost 50% of seats in colleges and universities for lower-caste and other disadvantaged Indians. After four days of street demonstrations that have halted work at many of the country's hospitals and led to clashes with police, the Indian education minister, Arjun Singh, ruled out withdrawing the proposal. The protesters said they would not stop until the government relented."