NEW DELHI, Aug 25: India’s government introduced on Friday a controversial bill in parliament to set aside more university places for the poor as students protesting the legislation battled police.

“Millions of backward classes ... have been looking forward to getting an opportunity for equitable access to institutions of higher learning maintained by the state,” Human Resources Minister Arjun Singh said in tabling the bill.

Hundreds of students fought police and marched towards parliament in the heart of the Indian capital as the bill, cleared by the cabinet on Monday, was introduced.

In Mumbai police detained dozens of protesters, mainly medical students and doctors, as they headed towards the residence of the chief minister of Maharashtra state.

Protest leaders called off their demonstrations on Friday after the legislation to increase places in government-aided universities from the current 22.5 per cent to 49.5 per cent was referred to a parliamentary committee.

Student leaders saw the decision to refer the bill for fine-tuning as a modest victory.—AFP