Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi urges Fadnavis to address tribal students' protest
Adivasi students in Maharashtra have been refusing food during a protest lasting more than 10 days.
Many students travel from remote villages to cities for education.
They depend on government hostels because they cannot easily afford other housing.
The students oppose a reported rule that stops people over 30 from staying in these hostels.
Rahul Gandhi says the hostels can also be unsafe and may lack food, cleanliness and medical care.
He said students told him about injuries and deaths, including incidents involving snake bites.
Gandhi also raised an allegation that female students must take pregnancy and other medical tests after long absences.
He asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet the students and address their demands.
Adivasi students from across Maharashtra have been on hunger strike for more than 10 days over hostel rules and other demands.
Rahul Gandhi urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to personally meet the protesters and resolve their concerns.
Students and Gandhi objected to a reported rule barring people over 30 from government tribal hostels.
Gandhi alleged that hostels are unsafe and often lack adequate food, sanitation and medical care, with students suffering injuries and deaths.
He also alleged that female students returning after extended absences face pregnancy and other medical tests, which he called humiliating.
- Who
- Adivasi students and youth from across Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- Students are protesting hostel age limits, alleged poor facilities and other demands; Gandhi asked Fadnavis to meet them and resolve the issues.
- When
- The students had been on hunger strike for more than 10 days as of reports dated August 24; one report says the agitation began on August 13.
- Where
- The protest and Gandhi’s meeting with students were reported in Pune, while the students come from across Maharashtra.
- Why
- The students are seeking changes to government hostel rules, improved facilities and other welfare measures, which they describe as their rights.
Protesting students and Rahul Gandhi
Government position not provided
Hostel age limit
Protesting students and Rahul Gandhi
Students and Gandhi say the reported 30-year upper age limit excludes people who are still completing their studies or preparing for examinations, particularly those whose education has been delayed or interrupted.
Government position not provided
The articles do not include a response from the Maharashtra government explaining or defending the age limit.
Hostel conditions
Protesting students and Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi cited allegations that government tribal hostels are unsafe and lack adequate food, sanitation and medical care, with students reportedly suffering injuries and deaths.
Government position not provided
No government response to these allegations is provided.
Medical tests for female students
Protesting students and Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi alleged that female students returning after extended absences undergo pregnancy and other medical tests, describing the practice as an attack on their dignity and humanity.
Government position not provided
The articles do not provide the state’s account of the alleged testing practice.
- Protesting group
- Adivasi students and youth from various districts of Maharashtra
- Protest duration
- More than 10 days of hunger strike
- Reported agitation start
- August 13, according to one report
- Hostel age rule
- A reported new rule bars students over 30 from government tribal hostels
- Alleged hostel problems
- Unsafe facilities, inadequate food, sanitation and medical care
- Alleged incidents
- Students reportedly suffered injuries and deaths, including incidents involving snake bites
- Additional memorandum demands
- Withdrawal of Government Resolutions issued on August 5 and August 14, revision of a November 11, 2011 resolution, and increased financial provisions
Sources
'It's Attack On Their Dignity & Humanity': Rahul Gandhi Writes Open Letter To CM Fadnavis; Urges Him To Meet Protesting Adhivasi Students In Pune
‘Pregnancy tests for female students’: Rahul Gandhi raises tribal student protests in letter to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
