12 Days On, Tribal Students' Hunger Strike Continues In Pune's Manjari; Age Cap, Hostel Conditions, Insurance, Recruitment Among Key Demands

Pune: The indefinite hunger strike by tribal students at the government tribal hostel in Hadapsar’s Manjari entered its 12th day on Monday, with protesters continuing their agitation over the state government’s hostel rules and a wider set of demands concerning education, safety, employment and welfare.

What are the demands?

The agitation began on August 13, after the Tribal Development Department issued a Government Resolution (GR) on August 5 introducing an upper age limit for students residing in government tribal hostels. Students said the new rules were particularly unfair to tribal students, many of whom face financial difficulties, delayed entry into higher education and interruptions in their academic journeys.

The original GR prescribed an upper age limit of 26 years for hostel residents. Following protests, the government subsequently increased the limit to 30 years and removed provisions restricting students from participating in protests and approaching the media. However, students at Manjari said that several of their concerns remain unresolved.

Issue raised at Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj'

The issue gained political attention on August 22 when Nisha Sabale, a tribal student from the Manjari hostel, raised the matter during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' interaction in Pune. She told Gandhi that students had been on hunger strike for days and that their grievances had not been adequately addressed. She also highlighted the participation of girl students in the agitation, including one who was reportedly hospitalised after her health deteriorated. “Students have been protesting for the last several days, but the government is not listening to us,” Sabale said, while demanding that the age restriction for government tribal hostels be withdrawn.

Sabale also questioned the government’s response to tribal students’ concerns. She said, “If you cannot work for the development of tribal students, then you have no right to sit in that chair.”

Gandhi had offered to visit the protesters and join their agitation, bringing greater attention to the Manjari protest.

One of the major demands is compensation for the families of three tribal girls who died after snakebites at an ashramshala in Gadchiroli. The protesters have demanded ₹1 crore compensation for each family, along with accountability for those responsible. They have also demanded insurance coverage for students studying in tribal hostels and ashramshalas.

'We want the government to take responsibility'

Neha, a protesting student, told The Free Press Journal, “We are not protesting only against the age limit. We want the government to take responsibility for the safety and future of tribal students. Our demand is that every student in tribal hostels and ashramshalas should get proper insurance and safe educational facilities.”

The students are also demanding action on the recruitment of around 12,500 posts reserved for tribal candidates, along with other vacant posts. They have sought implementation of pending recruitment processes and demanded action concerning PESA employees who were relieved from service.

'Where will we go?'

Snehal, another student, told The Free Press Journal, “Many tribal students depend completely on government hostels to continue their education. If we are removed because of an age limit, where will we go? We want the government to withdraw the restriction and ensure that students are allowed to stay until they complete their education.”

The protesters have also raised concerns over hostel infrastructure and commuting difficulties. Students at Manjari have said the hostel’s distance from colleges in Pune forces some students to spend several hours travelling every day, leaving less time for studies. The demand for better-located accommodation is also part of the agitation.

The issue of conditions imposed on girl students has further intensified the protest. Students have questioned the reported requirements concerning pregnancy tests for female hostel residents and have demanded dignity and privacy in the implementation of hostel rules.

The agitation received another political boost on Sunday when NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar visited the protesting students at Manjari. Pawar met the hunger strikers, heard their demands and joined them during their subsequent protest march on JM Road. While briefing the media, Pawar said, “We have spoken with the Tribal Development Minister, and a meeting with government representatives is expected to take place to discuss the students’ demands.”

However, the students have made it clear that they want concrete decisions rather than assurances.