Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Pune Tribal Students’ Protest Enters Day 13, Opposition Backs Demands
Tribal students in Pune have been protesting for 13 days.
They are staying at an Adivasi government hostel in the Manjari area.
Some students are sitting in protest, while six are fasting.
One fasting student became sick and had to go to a hospital.
Opposition politicians visited the students and said the Maharashtra government was not paying enough attention.
Rahul Gandhi asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet the protesters.
The students want the government to change its rules for tribal hostels.
They also want safer buildings, more workers, security guards and better sanitation.
Tribal students continued their sit-in protest at a government hostel in Pune’s Manjari area.
Opposition leaders, including Rohit Pawar and Sujat Ambedkar, visited the protest site.
One of six students fasting became ill and was hospitalised as the protest continued.
Rahul Gandhi urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet the students and address their problems.
Students are seeking withdrawal of the hostel government resolution and improved hostel facilities.
- Who
- Tribal students, six of whom were fasting, were supported by opposition leaders including Rohit Pawar, Sujat Ambedkar, Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule.
- What
- The students continued a sit-in and hunger strike while demanding changes to Maharashtra’s tribal-hostel rules and improved facilities.
- When
- The protest was reported on August 25, its 13th day; the article says it had begun 12 days earlier.
- Where
- The protest was taking place at the Adivasi Government Boys’ Hostel in Manjari, Pune.
- Why
- The students want the government resolution on tribal hostels withdrawn and replaced, along with safer facilities, staffing and security improvements.
Students and Opposition Leaders
Maharashtra Government
Government response
Students and Opposition Leaders
Opposition leaders accused the Maharashtra government of ignoring the students’ agitation and urged direct talks and action.
Maharashtra Government
The article does not report a response or stated position from the Maharashtra government.
Hostel rules
Students and Opposition Leaders
The students want the government resolution withdrawn and a revised order issued, including relief from conditions such as the 30-year age limit for hostel residence.
Maharashtra Government
No government explanation of the existing rules or its position on the requested changes is provided in the report.
Hostel facilities
Students and Opposition Leaders
The students are demanding a safe, well-equipped central hostel for female students, filled vacancies, security guards and sanitation workers.
Maharashtra Government
The report does not include the government’s response to these facility-related demands.
- Protest duration
- Day 13
- Location
- Adivasi Government Boys’ Hostel, Manjari, Pune
- Fasting protesters
- Six students were on hunger strike
- Medical update
- One fasting student was hospitalised after his health deteriorated
- Main demand
- Withdrawal and revision of the Maharashtra government resolution on tribal hostels
- Other demands
- A safe, well-equipped central hostel for female students, filled vacancies, security guards and sanitation workers
- Political support
- Opposition leaders including Rohit Pawar, Sujat Ambedkar and Supriya Sule supported or contacted the students