Congress leader asks Maharashtra CM to meet protesting students and resolve their grievances
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the ongoing hunger strike by tribal students protesting against rules and conditions at government run hostels.
Gandhi wrote to Fadnavis on Monday, saying tribal students from across Maharashtra have been on hunger strike for more than 10 days. He asked the Chief Minister to personally meet representatives of the protesting students and address their concerns at the earliest.
What are the students protesting against?
The protest is largely centred on hostel regulations and facilities. According to the concerns raised by the students and highlighted by Gandhi, they include:
- A 30 year age limit for staying in government tribal hostels.
- Rules that students describe as humiliating and restrictive.
- Allegedly unsafe hostel facilities.
- Poor sanitation, food and medical facilities.
- Concerns over rules affecting female students.
Students argue that the age restriction could prevent people from disadvantaged and remote tribal communities from continuing higher education if their studies are delayed or interrupted.
Controversy over pregnancy tests
- One of the most serious allegations concerns female students.
- Gandhi said students told him that women returning to hostels after an extended absence were allegedly subjected to pregnancy checks. He described the alleged practice as an attack on the dignity of female students and called for the issue to be addressed immediately.
- These are allegations raised by the protesters and Gandhi. They should not be treated as independently established facts unless confirmed by authorities or further evidence.
Hunger strike in Pune
- The protest includes students at a tribal hostel in Manjari, Pune. Reports say the hunger strike has continued for more than 10 days, raising concerns about the health of the participating students.
- The protesters are demanding changes to hostel regulations, improved facilities and stronger measures concerning tribal education and welfare.
Rahul Gandhi’s appeal
- Gandhi said the students are not asking for charity but are demanding what they consider their rightful entitlements.
- He urged Chief Minister Fadnavis to personally meet the students, listen to their grievances and take immediate steps to resolve the dispute.
Government response
As of August 24, no final resolution of the protest had been reported. The Maharashtra government is under pressure to engage with the students and examine the disputed hostel rules and allegations.
Bottom line
The protest has become a wider debate over tribal students access to education, hostel regulations, dignity, safety and government welfare policies. Rahul Gandhi’s intervention has brought additional political attention to the issue, while the students continue demanding action from the Maharashtra government.
