Pune tribal students’ hunger strike enters tenth day as two protesters are hospitalised. Students seek withdrawal of the August 5 government resolution
New Delhi: An indefinite hunger strike by tribal students at the Government Tribal Hostel in Manjari, Pune, entered its tenth day on Saturday (August 22), with two protesters hospitalised after their health deteriorated. Five students continue their fast, demanding that the Maharashtra government address issues related to tribal hostels, student welfare, recruitment and the implementation of tribal rights.
The agitation began on August 13 after students opposed a government resolution issued by the Maharashtra Tribal Development Department on August 5. A large number of students have since joined a sit-in at the hostel in support of the hunger strikers.
Two protesters hospitalised
Protester Navnath More said Vijay Bhandble and Rahul Dhanwe were admitted to Sassoon Hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties and dehydration. They are currently receiving treatment.
The other students on hunger strike are Nikita Metkar, Shweta Girnak and Sharad Thokal. Protesters have warned that they will intensify the agitation if the government does not act on their demands.
The prolonged hunger strike has now raised concerns over the health of the students continuing the fast, even as the protest enters its second week.
Students oppose August 5 resolution
The students’ immediate demand is the withdrawal of the August 5 government resolution. They have objected to provisions concerning hostel admission, academic breaks and employment.
They have also demanded the reinstatement and permanent appointment of PESA employees who were relieved from service. In addition, they want the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, or PESA, to be strictly implemented in recruitment advertisements.
The protesters have also opposed a guideline that reserves 70% of hostel vacancies for students from the same district. They argue that the provision could affect students from other districts seeking admission to government tribal hostels.
Department withdraws some restrictions
Following the protests, the Tribal Development Department withdrew several restrictions imposed on hostel residents. These included curbs on joining organisations, participating in hunger strikes and protest marches, approaching the media with grievances and mobilising fellow students against administrative decisions.
The department also increased the maximum age for hostel admission from 26 to 30 years through a revised resolution. However, the protesters continue to demand the withdrawal of the August 5 resolution and related guidelines. The students have maintained that the changes made so far do not address all their concerns.
Compensation sought for Gadchiroli deaths
The protest has also brought wider concerns over the safety of tribal residential-school students to the forefront. The students are demanding ₹1 crore compensation each for the families of three girls who died following snakebites at a tribal residential school in Japtalai village in Gadchiroli district. According to the protesters, a common krait bit six girls sleeping on the floor of the hostel on the night of August 9-10. Three of them later died.
The protesters have demanded criminal cases on charges of culpable homicide against administrative and political officials whom they hold responsible for the deaths. They have also sought stronger safety measures in tribal residential schools.
Insurance cover and student support
The students have demanded insurance cover of ₹10 crore for each student living in tribal hostels and studying in tribal residential schools. They have also sought better educational facilities and financial assistance for tribal students. The demands form part of a broader call for stronger institutional support for students from tribal communities.
Another major demand concerns recruitment to 12,500 pending tribal posts across Maharashtra. The protesters have called for the immediate implementation of the recruitment process.
They have also called for the reinstatement and permanent appointment of PESA employees who were removed from service. They have further demanded strict implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) in all recruitment advertisements.
Protest continues
The students’ demands therefore extend beyond the August 5 hostel resolution and include student safety, financial support, recruitment and the implementation of provisions meant for Scheduled Areas.
With two hunger strikers hospitalised and five continuing their fast, the health of the protesters has become a growing concern. The agitation remains ongoing, with the students insisting that they will continue their protest until the government responds to their demands.
