Guwahati, Oct. 8 -- Former Human Resource Development minister Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday criticised the use of force against protesting students, saying their legitimate demands should be heard with sympathy and that students should be treated as "our children".

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 21st FICCI Higher Education Summit, Joshi said the use of batons was not an appropriate way to address student grievances.

"Reasonable or legitimate demands of students should always be heard and should be heard with a great deal of sympathy. This method of using batons is not appropriate. You can never find a solution this way. If there are problems, listen to them. They are our children," the BJP leader said when asked about ...