India angered, split by university affirmative action plan

The government announced last month it would more than double "reservation quotas" in professional medical, engineering and management colleges to nearly 50 percent to fulfil its election manifesto to help the poor.

But the declaration has triggered massive protests that have crippled state-run medical services and revived memories of a similar bitter row 16 years ago that led to violence, student suicides and the fall of a government.

The protesters, under the banner of "Youth for Equality," are calling for a total "rollback" of the plan.