1 week ago
Tribal Students’ Hunger Strike Continues Over Hostel Rules, Welfare
Tribal students in Pune are refusing food to protest rules at government hostels.
Their hunger strike began on August 13 and continued for 12 days.
They say an age limit could force some students to leave their hostels before finishing school or college.
The government changed the age limit from 26 to 30 years and removed some restrictions.
The students say these changes do not solve all their problems.
They want safer hostels, insurance, better locations, and privacy for girls.
They also want compensation for families of three girls who died from snakebites.
The students are asking the government to fill reserved jobs and make clear decisions instead of giving only assurances.
Tribal students at the government hostel in Manjari, Pune, began an indefinite hunger strike on August 13, which entered its 12th day.
Their demands include withdrawing the hostel age limit, improving facilities and commuting access, and allowing students to stay until completing their education.
The government raised the age cap from 26 to 30 years and removed restrictions on protests and media contact, but students say key concerns remain unresolved.
Protesters seek insurance for students, ₹1 crore compensation for each of three tribal girls who died after snakebites, and accountability for those responsible.
They are also demanding action on about 12,500 posts reserved for tribal candidates and other issues involving recruitment and PESA employees.
- Who
- Tribal students staying at the government tribal hostel in Manjari, Pune, are leading the hunger strike; Rahul Gandhi and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar have also addressed or visited the protesters.
- What
- An indefinite hunger strike and wider agitation over hostel age rules, safety, infrastructure, insurance, compensation, recruitment, and student welfare.
- Where
- The protest is centered at the government tribal hostel in Hadapsar’s Manjari, Pune, with a later march on JM Road.
- When
- The agitation began on August 13 and had entered its 12th day on Monday; the issue was raised at Rahul Gandhi’s interaction on August 22, and Rohit Pawar visited on the preceding Sunday.
- Why
- Students say the hostel rules and broader government response threaten their education, safety, dignity, and future employment prospects.
Students’ demands
Government response
Hostel age limit
Students’ demands
Students want the age restriction withdrawn and say residents should be allowed to stay until completing their education.
Government response
The government changed the original 26-year limit to 30 years after protests.
Rules and student rights
Students’ demands
Students say concerns over hostel conditions, girls’ privacy, reported pregnancy-test requirements, safety, and insurance remain unresolved.
Government response
The government removed provisions restricting students from participating in protests and approaching the media, but the article does not state that all other concerns have been accepted.
Next steps
Students’ demands
Protesters say they want concrete decisions rather than assurances and are continuing their agitation.
Government response
The Tribal Development Minister has been contacted, and a meeting with government representatives was expected, according to Rohit Pawar.
Key facts
- Protest duration
- The hunger strike entered its 12th day on Monday.
- Agitation start
- Students began the indefinite hunger strike on August 13.
- Original age limit
- The August 5 Government Resolution prescribed an upper age limit of 26 years for hostel residents.
- Revised age limit
- After protests, the government increased the limit to 30 years.
- Compensation demand
- Protesters seek ₹1 crore for each family of three tribal girls who died after snakebites at an ashramshala in Gadchiroli.
- Recruitment demand
- Students seek action on about 12,500 posts reserved for tribal candidates, along with other vacant posts.
- Government meeting
- Rohit Pawar said a meeting with government representatives was expected to discuss the demands.
Quotes
Nisha Sabale
A tribal student from the Manjari government hostel who raised the issue at Rahul Gandhi’s interaction.
“We are not protesting only against the age limit. We want the government to take responsibility for the safety and future of tribal students. Our demand is that every student in tribal hostels and ashramshalas should get proper insurance and safe educational facilities.”
freepressjournal.in
“If you cannot work for the development of tribal students, then you have no right to sit in that chair.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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