VJNT Community Holds Two-Day Hunger Strike in Pune Over Alleged Land Fraud
Pune, 25th January 2026: Members of the Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT – Hindu) community from Keshavnagar, Mundhwa, held a peaceful two-day Bhukh Hartal (hunger strike) on January 25 and 26, protesting alleged large-scale fraud, encroachment, and unauthorised development on lands originally allotted to them by the government.
The hunger strike was held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Plot Nos. 56 to 60, Survey Nos. 9 to 14, Keshavnagar, Mundhwa. According to the organisers, these lands were granted as Class II occupancy lands to VJNT families under rehabilitation and welfare schemes aimed at securing livelihood and social protection for one of the most marginalised communities.
Community representatives alleged that despite clear legal restrictions on the transfer of such lands, several plots were illegally alienated through misuse of powers of attorney, void sale deeds, benami transactions, and administrative lapses. As a result, many VJNT families were reportedly dispossessed and left without effective legal remedies.
Advocate Krishnapingaksha Gaikwad, who coordinated the protest on behalf of the community, stated that the hunger strike was a “last-resort democratic appeal” to draw attention to land rights violations and administrative accountability. He emphasised that the protest was entirely peaceful, constitutional, and non-violent.
As part of the agitation, the community submitted a detailed Charter of Demands to the authorities. The demands included the constitution of a special judicial inquiry committee headed by a retired judge to investigate fraudulent land transfers,
immediate protection of disputed lands from further development, departmental inquiries against erring officials, and the establishment of a dedicated VJNT Land Protection and Rehabilitation Cell under the District Collector’s office. The charter also sought legal aid, rehabilitation, and compensation for dispossessed families, along with policy reforms to prevent future misuse of government-allotted lands.
The organisers confirmed that prior notice had been given to Mundhwa Police Station and that permission for the hunger strike was granted, subject to conditions to maintain public order and safety.
Activists said the issue went beyond a local land dispute and raised broader concerns regarding the protection of vulnerable communities, enforcement of welfare laws, and the rule of law. They appealed to the state government for urgent intervention and urged media organisations to highlight the voices of affected families.
The hunger strike saw participation from VJNT community members and supporters, with appeals for dialogue and institutional action forming the core message of the protest.
