1 week ago
Maharashtra Scraps Tribal Hostel Age Cap After Student Agitation
Tribal students in Maharashtra protested rules governing their government hostels.
One rule limited the age at which students could get hostel admission.
Another rule had restricted students from joining hunger strikes and marches, but that restriction was later withdrawn.
Students said the age limit could exclude people who start higher education later.
They also raised concerns about poor facilities, low allowances and alleged pregnancy tests for female students returning from long leave.
After Rahul Gandhi discussed the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the government removed the age restriction and paused some revised rules.
Students say these changes do not solve all their problems.
They also want better hostels, insurance and a separate law for tribal hostels.
The protest followed concerns about safety after three girls died from snakebites at a residential school in Gadchiroli.
Maharashtra scrapped the age limit for tribal hostel admissions on August 25.
The government also put its August 14 rules on hostel facilities and amenities on hold.
Students had protested age restrictions, inadequate allowances, facilities and alleged pregnancy tests for women returning from long leave.
The 13-day agitation continued because students also seek insurance, revised allowances and a separate hostel law.
Three tribal girls recently died after snakebites at a government-aided residential school in Gadchiroli district.
- Who
- Tribal students, the Maharashtra government, Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike, Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- A 13-day agitation over tribal hostel admission rules, facilities, allowances and alleged pregnancy tests led the government to scrap the age cap and pause revised rules.
- Where
- The agitation was taking place in Pune and involved Maharashtra’s tribal hostels; related deaths occurred at a residential school in Gadchiroli district.
- When
- The government announced the decision on Tuesday, August 25; the agitation had entered its 13th day.
- Why
- Students opposed the age restriction and other hostel conditions, and sought improved allowances, facilities, insurance and legal protections.
Students’ demands
Government response
Admission age
Students’ demands
Students demanded complete removal of the age restriction, saying it could exclude those pursuing higher education later in life.
Government response
The government first introduced a 26-year cap, raised it to 30, and then decided to remove the age restriction entirely.
Hostel conditions
Students’ demands
Students said allowances and facilities were inadequate and sought CPI-linked allowances, insurance, modernised hostels and a separate hostel law.
Government response
The government cited the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana as financial assistance for students without hostel accommodation and paused the revised rules on facilities and amenities.
Medical testing allegations
Students’ demands
Students alleged that some female students returning after prolonged leave were asked to undergo pregnancy and other medical tests.
Government response
Rahul Gandhi raised the allegations with the chief minister, but the article does not report a separate government response to them.
Key facts
- Hostels
- The Tribal Development Department has 494 sanctioned hostels, of which 490 are operational.
- Student population
- The hostels house approximately 58,000 to 60,000 students.
- Original age cap
- An August 5 Government Resolution limited eligible hostel applicants to age 26.
- Later revision
- The government subsequently raised the maximum admission age to 30 before scrapping the restriction.
- Government action
- The August 14 Government Resolution on revised hostel facilities and amenities was put on hold.
- Student demands
- Students seek Consumer Price Index-linked allowances, insurance, a separate hostel law and modernised facilities.
- Gadchiroli deaths
- Three tribal girls died after snakebites while sleeping on mats at a government-aided residential school.
Quotes
Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
“I was shocked to learn that female students returning after an extended absence must undergo pregnancy tests and a range of other medical tests, to prove their “fitness”.”
indianexpress.com
“We have decided not to impose any age restriction after detailed deliberation on this issue.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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