Tribal students in Maharashtra have ended their 17-day hunger strike after the state government accepted their demands and provided written assurances on issues ranging from hostel facilities and safety to recruitment, PESA appointments and caste validity certificates. The agitation, which had spread across Pune, Nagpur and Nashik, was called off late on Saturday after a delegation of students met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike subsequently met the protesters and presented the government’s written commitments.
Uike said the Chief Minister had responded positively to the students’ concerns and assured them that a review meeting would be held after three months to assess progress and identify any difficulties in implementing the decisions. The protest began on August 13 following changes to rules governing admission and administration at government tribal hostels, with students objecting to provisions they feared would disadvantage those from remote areas who depend on hostels while pursuing higher education and preparing for competitive examinations.
Government issues two resolutions
The agitation later expanded to include demands for better hostel infrastructure and safety, protection of tribal reservations, recruitment to vacant government posts, appointments under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and action over allegedly bogus Scheduled Tribe certificates. Students also sought compensation for the families of three tribal girls who died of snake bites at an ashram school in Gadchiroli. The protesters had continued their fast despite earlier concessions, insisting that they would withdraw only after receiving comprehensive written commitments.
Following discussions, the Maharashtra government issued two resolutions concerning tribal welfare. One provides for replacing the direct benefit transfer system for food with mess facilities at government tribal hostels in specified urban and district-level areas. Officials have been directed to complete the process within three months and ensure students do not face disruption during the transition. Another resolution provides for a time-bound review of recommendations concerning deaths at government and aided ashram schools and measures required to prevent such incidents.
Recruitment, caste certificates among demands
The students also pressed the government to address vacancies reserved for tribal candidates and sought action against those allegedly occupying posts on the basis of bogus Scheduled Tribe certificates. They also raised concerns over employees who had allegedly failed to submit caste validity certificates within the prescribed period. One of the students’ demands for a central hostel is expected to take longer, though protesters said they had been assured that the issue would be addressed within a month.
The Tribal Development Department operates around 490 government hostels across Maharashtra, accommodating approximately 58,000-60,000 students annually. While ending their hunger strike, the protesters said they would now closely monitor implementation of the government’s assurances and warned that a stronger agitation could be launched in Mumbai if the commitments were not fulfilled within three months.
The movement had also attracted political attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar and other opposition leaders extending support to the students. Gandhi had raised the issue with Fadnavis after meeting tribal students during his recent visit to Pune.