Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Police Detain Tribal Students, Drive Them Out of Mumbai
Hundreds of tribal students walked from Nashik to Mumbai to ask for changes to schools and hostels.
They wanted better facilities and scholarships, and an investigation into student deaths at ashram schools.
They also called for the tribal development minister to resign.
The students hoped to meet Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and give him a letter.
After they were not allowed to gather at Azad Maidan, they stayed at Tilak Bhavan.
Police put them onto buses and drove them out of Mumbai.
One report described students being pushed into buses, while police denied making arrests after the Congress alleged detentions the previous day.
The students said they would return on October 25 to continue protesting.
Hundreds of tribal students marched from Nashik to Mumbai, beginning their march on September 28.
They sought better hostel facilities, scholarships and basic amenities, an inquiry into student deaths at ashram schools, and the tribal development minister’s resignation.
After being denied permission to assemble at Azad Maidan, students stayed at Tilak Bhavan and sought to meet Governor Jishnu Dev Varma with a memorandum.
Police put students into buses outside Tilak Bhavan and drove them out of the city; an Express report described a scuffle and students being forced into buses.
Police denied making arrests after the Congress alleged detentions on Monday; students said they would return on October 25 to resume their protest.
- Who
- Hundreds of tribal students, Mumbai Police, and the Maharashtra Congress.
- What
- Students protesting for changes to tribal schools and hostels were put on buses and driven out of Mumbai.
- When
- The students began marching on September 28; the bus incident was reported on October 6. The year is not stated.
- Where
- The students marched from Nashik and were staying at Tilak Bhavan in Dadar, Mumbai; the bus incident took place outside Tilak Bhavan.
- Why
- They were seeking better hostel and school facilities, scholarships, an inquiry into student deaths at ashram schools, and other demands.
Students and Congress allegations
Police response and official account
Whether students were detained
Students and Congress allegations
The Maharashtra Congress alleged that police detained students early Monday; an Indian Express report said students were allegedly detained on the first day and described them being forced into buses on October 6.
Police response and official account
Police denied making arrests in response to the Congress allegation. Officials said police were deployed outside Tilak Bhavan and students were put into private buses and driven out of the city.
How students were removed
Students and Congress allegations
The Indian Express account described students being pushed into buses, including a person holding a child, people dangling from bus windows, and clothing torn during a scuffle.
Police response and official account
The reports cite officials saying students were put into private buses and taken out of the city; they do not provide a detailed police response to the reported scuffle.
- Number of students
- Hundreds
- March began
- September 28
- Starting point
- Nashik
- Shelter in Mumbai
- Tilak Bhavan in Dadar
- Meeting sought
- Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, to submit a memorandum
- Police account
- Police denied arrests after the Maharashtra Congress alleged detentions on Monday.
- Planned return
- Students said they would return to Mumbai on October 25.
Sources
Mumbai Police detain tribal students, drive them out after protest over poor hostel conditions
Kid in arms, man dangling from window: Tribals students say forcibly being sent home
Police detain tribal students protesting in Mumbai, drive them out of city
