Tata, Bajaj also oppose move

Coming out against quotas for OBCs in premier educational institutions, industry leaders Rahul Bajaj and Ratan Tata have termed the proposal as "unfortunate" and "politically motivated".

Speaking on the sidelines of the Indian School of Business graduation ceremony, Rahul Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Auto Limited, said, "I am supportive of the underprivileged but we need to have equality in opportunities. This step will take the country backward."

Bajaj said the board of governors of IIT Bombay would meet on April 21 to discuss the issue. Bajaj is the chairman of the IIT.

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Sons Limited, said this policy had the tendency to divide the country.

"We need to create a country of equal opportunities. Reservations are not the way for it. It will harm the country," he added.