The Indian government has introduced a new bill to increase quotas for lower caste Indians and other disadvantaged groups in professional colleges. At present, twenty-two percent of seats are set aside. But the new bill will increase that to nearly fifty percent. This report from Sanjoy Majumder

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But hundreds of students from these elite medical, engineering and other colleges have taken to the streets of the capital Delhi and other major cities in protest. Doctors and medical staff in many government hospitals have also gone on mass leave in protest. They argue that the move is a cynical ploy by politicians aimed at getting votes. Lower caste communities are a politically influential force across India, which is one reason why no political party is opposing the bill.

The government says it'll only implement the programme over three years, to give the colleges time to prepare for the change. But many college administrators say it'll be difficult for them to meet the increased demand without a massive expansion in teaching staff and other facilities. Others fear it'll lead to a lowering of standards in some of the country's leading institutions which enjoy an international reputation for academic excellence.

But those supporting the plan say it's a small price to pay to rid India of centuries of social discrimination.

Sanjoy Majumder, BBC News, Delhi

historic bill
a possible new law that is likely to be seen as important in history

wiping out
destroying something completely

gain access to
be allowed to use – here, be allowed to study at colleges that they weren’t allowed to study at before

taken to the streets
literally, people have left their houses or jobs and walked on to the streets because they want to complain about something or to celebrate something

gone on mass leave
many people (from the same companies or organisations) have decided to go on holiday at the same time

a cynical ploy
a dishonest attempt to get something you want (here, votes) by pretending you are interested in or care about something else (here, India’s poorer communities)

opposing the bill
arguing against the proposed new law

a massive expansion
a very large increase in something

a small price to pay
if doing something has a small price to pay, it means that doing it will cause a few problems but that, overall, there will be more benefits than problems

social discrimination
treating people unfairly because of their status or position in society