Pune: Yerawada Hostel Students on Hunger Strike Over Relocation Plan
Reported by Siddhi Patil
Yerawada, 28th June 2025: Students residing at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Government Boys’ Hostel in Yerawada have launched a hunger strike in protest against the administration’s decision to shift them to another hostel in Vishrantwadi. The relocation plan stems from the administration’s proposal to convert the Yerawada hostel into an all-girls facility.
Students have expressed strong opposition, citing lack of adequate infrastructure at the Vishrantwadi hostel and concerns about the physical, mental, and financial strain of moving farther from their educational institutions.
“There’s already an existing hostel in Vishrantwadi. They should accommodate female students there,” said Amol Kolte, a student representative from the Yerawada hostel. “We’ve been raising these concerns for months. The new hostel lacks essential facilities like a gym and library, which we currently have.”
Kolte also questioned the decision on safety grounds. “This area isn’t even safe for us male students. There have been incidents of theft and violence. If it’s unsafe for us, how is it safe for female students?” he asked. “They say boys and girls can’t share the Vishrantwadi hostel, but there are co-ed government hostels in Maharashtra already. So, why not here?”
Responding to the protest, Vishal Londhe, Assistant Commissioner for Social Welfare, said, “Keeping a co-ed hostel would lead to administrative complications. We informed students about this shift three months ago and waited until their exams concluded. Regarding infrastructure, the only major gap is the absence of a study room in Vishrantwadi—we’ve already proposed one and expect it to be ready in two months.”
Londhe added, “The distance between Yerawada and Vishrantwadi isn’t significant. As for safety concerns, crime exists everywhere. We can’t stop functioning because of it. Many of these objections are exaggerated, and our goal is to provide fair opportunities for girls pursuing education in the city.”
Despite the administration’s stance, the students remain adamant, insisting on staying at the Yerawada hostel.
