Rishi is not mentally unstable, says family

NEW DELHI: A day after Rishi Gupta attempted self-immolation during an anti-reservation rally at the Ramlila Maidan, his family said that the government's move to increase the OBC quota by 27% had enraged him, and forced him to take to this extreme step.
Rishi is currently recuperating at the burns ward at Lok Nayak Hospital. Rishi's brother Gautam, a call centre employee, said: "He is infuriated at the way the government is forcibly going ahead with the reservation policy, and playing with the future of thousands of children.He was so touched by the banner on which several medicos had signed their names with their own blood that he decided to be a part of this campaign."
Gautam added that contrary to reports, Rishi was not mentally unstable and that there was no tension between him and his family. "He was just trying to contribute to the fight for justice," he said.
The students protesting as part of Youth for Equality have preferred to distance themselves from Rishi's immolation bid.
"Does one need to be a doctor to protest against the government's high-handedness in introducing the reservation? Had he been a doctor, even the PM would have come to meet him," said Gautam.
Rishi lives with his father and brother in Shahdara, while his mother lives in a village in Bihar. Gautam also said that some doctors from AIIMS had called him to express their concern and would also pay a visit to the hospital.
Meanwhile, residents of New Rajendra Nagar took out a march against the increase in the reservation quota on Sunday night.
Private practitioners also participated in the march held in west Delhi. "About 500 people turned up for the peace march. If the government does not protect the interests of all sections of society equally, without favouring anyone, we will repeat this exercise with much greater fervour in several parts of Delhi," said D M Narang.