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Tribal students from Manjari on 13-day hunger strike; Vishwajeet Kadam questions government: "Why not engage in dialogue with the students?"
Pune: The indefinite hunger strike launched by students from the Government Tribal Hostel in Manjari Budruk to press for various demands entered its 13th day on Tuesday (August 25). However, the students allege that the government has yet to take concrete notice of their protest. Meanwhile, one of the protesting students has been hospitalized after his health deteriorated.
The issues faced by tribal students in Maharashtra are now garnering political support. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to immediately address the protests by tribal students in Manjari and across the state. Rahul Gandhi appealed to the government to initiate a dialogue and find a solution before the students' health suffers further, noting that they are protesting for their rights.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam also demanded that the state government take the protest seriously. Speaking to *Lokmat*, he said, "Tribal students have been on a hunger strike for several days. It is essential for the government to take the initiative to listen to their demands. Engage in a dialogue with the students. They are our own children. A way forward regarding their issues can be found through discussion. The Chief Minister and the Tribal Development Department must take immediate action." He further suggested that the government should make immediate decisions on at least some of the students' demands and adopt a path of dialogue for the remaining issues.
Key demands of the students:
Immediately revoke the Government Resolutions (GRs) dated August 5 and August 14, 2025.
Increase allowances in line with inflation and provide insurance coverage of ?10 lakh for each student.
Provide financial assistance of ?1 crore to the families of each of the students who died in the Gadchiroli tragedy. Action under the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be taken against holders of fake caste certificates and those shielding them.
The 100% Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in PESA areas must be restored, and 12,500 vacant posts should be filled immediately.
The ‘blood relation’ requirement and the ‘conditional validity’ system in the caste verification process should be abolished.
The agitation is intensifying as the government has yet to take concrete steps, even as the health of the students continues to deteriorate.
Pune: The indefinite hunger strike launched by students from the Government Tribal Hostel in Manjari Budruk to press for various demands entered its 13th day on Tuesday (August 25). However, the students allege that the government has yet to take concrete notice of their protest. Meanwhile, one of the protesting students has been hospitalized after his health deteriorated.
The issues faced by tribal students in Maharashtra are now garnering political support. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to immediately address the protests by tribal students in Manjari and across the state. Rahul Gandhi appealed to the government to initiate a dialogue and find a solution before the students' health suffers further, noting that they are protesting for their rights.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam also demanded that the state government take the protest seriously. Speaking to *Lokmat*, he said, "Tribal students have been on a hunger strike for several days. It is essential for the government to take the initiative to listen to their demands. Engage in a dialogue with the students. They are our own children. A way forward regarding their issues can be found through discussion. The Chief Minister and the Tribal Development Department must take immediate action." He further suggested that the government should make immediate decisions on at least some of the students' demands and adopt a path of dialogue for the remaining issues.
Key demands of the students:
Immediately revoke the Government Resolutions (GRs) dated August 5 and August 14, 2025.
Increase allowances in line with inflation and provide insurance coverage of ?10 lakh for each student.
Provide financial assistance of ?1 crore to the families of each of the students who died in the Gadchiroli tragedy. Action under the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be taken against holders of fake caste certificates and those shielding them.
The 100% Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in PESA areas must be restored, and 12,500 vacant posts should be filled immediately.
The ‘blood relation’ requirement and the ‘conditional validity’ system in the caste verification process should be abolished.
The agitation is intensifying as the government has yet to take concrete steps, even as the health of the students continues to deteriorate.
The issues faced by tribal students in Maharashtra are now garnering political support. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to immediately address the protests by tribal students in Manjari and across the state. Rahul Gandhi appealed to the government to initiate a dialogue and find a solution before the students' health suffers further, noting that they are protesting for their rights.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam also demanded that the state government take the protest seriously. Speaking to *Lokmat*, he said, "Tribal students have been on a hunger strike for several days. It is essential for the government to take the initiative to listen to their demands. Engage in a dialogue with the students. They are our own children. A way forward regarding their issues can be found through discussion. The Chief Minister and the Tribal Development Department must take immediate action." He further suggested that the government should make immediate decisions on at least some of the students' demands and adopt a path of dialogue for the remaining issues.
Key demands of the students:
Immediately revoke the Government Resolutions (GRs) dated August 5 and August 14, 2025.
Increase allowances in line with inflation and provide insurance coverage of ?10 lakh for each student.
Provide financial assistance of ?1 crore to the families of each of the students who died in the Gadchiroli tragedy. Action under the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be taken against holders of fake caste certificates and those shielding them.
The 100% Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in PESA areas must be restored, and 12,500 vacant posts should be filled immediately.
The ‘blood relation’ requirement and the ‘conditional validity’ system in the caste verification process should be abolished.
The agitation is intensifying as the government has yet to take concrete steps, even as the health of the students continues to deteriorate.
