Indian Protester Tries to Burn Himself to Death in Caste Clash Protest

KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - A protester tried to immolate himself on Saturday as part of a three-week strike by medical staff against higher college quotas for lower castes, but witnesses said he was stopped by police.

Television footage showed the protester, reported to be a medical student, wincing in pain from burns to the upper body as he was put in a police vehicle to be taken to hospital. Ajit Singh, a private doctor, said the burns were "not serious".

Thousands of mainly upper-caste doctors, professionals and students took part in the demonstration in New Delhi, ignoring an appeal by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to end a strike that has disrupted state medical services in many parts of India.

Discrimination through the ancient Hindu social system of caste is banned in India but remains a major cause of division and even violence. Lower caste people have traditionally had less chances for quality education and prize government jobs.

In Kolkata, upper-caste junior doctors padlocked out-patient departments in state hospitals. About 5,000 anti-quota protesters later marched in the heart of the city, causing huge traffic jams.

Television footage showed the protester, reported to be a medical student, wincing in pain from burns to the upper body as he was put in a police vehicle to be taken to hospital. Ajit Singh, a private doctor, said the burns were "not serious".

Thousands of mainly upper-caste doctors, professionals and students took part in the demonstration in New Delhi, ignoring an appeal by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to end a strike that has disrupted state medical services in many parts of India.

Discrimination through the ancient Hindu social system of caste is banned in India but remains a major cause of division and even violence. Lower caste people have traditionally had less chances for quality education and prize government jobs.

In Kolkata, upper-caste junior doctors padlocked out-patient departments in state hospitals. About 5,000 anti-quota protesters later marched in the heart of the city, causing huge traffic jams.

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