NEW DELHI, May 30: India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday directed thousands of medical students, interns and junior doctors to end a strike against higher college quotas for lower castes, saying patients were suffering.

Citing earlier judgments, the court warned doctors they could face contempt charges if they failed to comply.

Last month, the government said it would raise the number of seats at state-funded colleges reserved for lower castes by 27 per cent. The move sparked widespread protests and hunger strikes by medical students and doctors, crippling services at many hospitals.

On Monday, in response to a petition against the proposal, the court asked the government to explain its decision and appealed for an end to the strikes.

But stoppages continued in several Indian cities on Tuesday.

“It has come to our notice that, notwithstanding the clear indication given by the court, the contrary is happening,” judge Arijit Pasayat said.

“In view of the fact the reservation for OBCs (Other Backward Classes, or lower castes) is being examined by the court, the strike should be called off.”—Reuters