Pune: Rahul Gandhi Seeks CM’s Intervention as Manjari Tribal Hostel Protest Enters 13th Day

Pune, 25th August 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his immediate intervention in the ongoing hunger strike by Adivasi students, who have been protesting for more than 10 days over conditions in government hostels and restrictive rules.

In the letter and related communication, Gandhi stated that students from remote villages and towns who depend on government hostels to study in cities had highlighted rules that strip them of dignity and block their path to education. A new rule barring anyone above 30 from hostels excludes many still completing studies or preparing for exams. Hostels were described as unsafe, often lacking food, sanitation and medical care, with reports of injuries and deaths, including from snake bites. Facilities for women were said to be worse.

Gandhi expressed particular shock at the requirement that female students returning after an extended absence undergo pregnancy tests and other medical examinations to prove their “fitness.” “It is a humiliation that presumes them guilty until they prove otherwise. This rule is an attack on their dignity and their humanity,” he wrote.

“These students are not asking for charity. They are demanding what is theirs by right. They should not have to risk their health for their government to listen,” the letter stated. Gandhi requested Fadnavis to personally meet representatives of the protesting students, hear them out and resolve the issues immediately. A memorandum submitted by the tribal students was enclosed.

The hunger strike at a government tribal hostel in Pune’s Manjari area has entered its 13th day, with students demanding withdrawal of recent government resolutions on hostels, better safety and facilities, and other measures. Some students are scheduled to meet the tribal development minister in Mumbai.

Key Demands of tribal students protesting across Maharashtra :

1. Cancellation and updation of Government Resolutions:
The Government Resolutions issued on 05 August 2026 and 14 August 2026 should be cancelled. The Government Resolution dated 11 November 2011 should be updated in accordance with present circumstances, and the financial provisions therein should be increased in accordance with the prevailing inflation index. The views and suggestions of student representatives should be considered while making such policy decisions. Further, the age limit for admission to Government Tribal Hostels should either be completely removed or the existing age limit of 30 years should be increased to 36 years.

2. Location of Government Tribal Hostels:
District-level Government Tribal Hostels should be located at central and convenient locations within cities, where students can easily access educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, public transportation, and other essential facilities.

3. Compensation in case of death, disability or serious injury:
In the event of the unfortunate death of a student studying in a Tribal Ashram School or Government Hostel, compensation of ₹1 crore should be provided to the family. In case of permanent disability, compensation of ₹50 lakh, and in case of serious injury, compensation of ₹25 lakh should be provided. A clear and separate Government policy should be formulated in this regard.

4. Protection of reserved posts of Tribal communities and filling of vacant posts:
The 95,000 reserved posts belonging to Tribal communities, which have allegedly been occupied through fake caste certificates, should be protected. Further, in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the recruitment process for the pending 12,500 posts should be completed immediately.

5. Action against persons obtaining Government employment through fake caste certificates:
Strict action should be taken against persons who have obtained Government employment on the basis of fake caste certificates. Employees who fail to submit their Caste Validity Certificate within six months of joining service should be subjected to immediate action under the applicable rules and their services should be terminated. Criminal proceedings should also be initiated against persons who have defrauded the Government through fake caste certificates, as per the applicable laws.

6. Students admitted based on Conditional Validity:
In the case of students admitted based on Conditional Validity, the concerned university should withhold the degree of the student until the final Caste Validity Certificate is obtained and submitted. The degree should be issued only after submission of the final Caste Validity Certificate. Appropriate action should be taken under the applicable laws and rules against students who fail to submit the Caste Validity Certificate or whose caste certificate is subsequently found to be invalid.

7. Discontinuation of DBT-based food arrangement and introduction of direct meal system:
The DBT-based food arrangement applicable to district-level Government Tribal Hostels should be discontinued. A direct meal system, on the lines of the Social Welfare Department, should be introduced so that students are provided with regular, nutritious, hygienic and quality meals at the hostel itself.

8. Anti-Snake Venom and emergency medical facilities:
Adequate Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) should be made available at Tribal Ashram Schools and Government Hostels to deal with emergency cases of snakebite. Effective arrangements should also be made to ensure immediate medical treatment, availability of medical personnel, and emergency referral services for students.

9. Reinstatement of employees appointed through the PESA recruitment process:
The cases of employees who were appointed through the prescribed PESA recruitment process and were subsequently removed from service should be reconsidered. Employees who were recruited after completing the prescribed recruitment procedure should be reinstated in service, subject to applicable rules and eligibility.

10. Cancellation of the Central Kitchen system:
The Central Kitchen system implemented in Tribal Ashram Schools and Government Hostels should be discontinued. Students should instead be provided with fresh, hygienic, nutritious and quality food at the respective Ashram School and Hostel level.

11. Honouring and providing Government employment to Tribal Everest Summiteers:
In several other States, persons who have successfully climbed Mount Everest have been honoured by the Government and have also been provided financial rewards and opportunities for Government employment. On similar lines, Tribal Everest Summiteers from Maharashtra should be appropriately honoured by the Government and provided opportunities for appointment in Government service through a special policy decision.
Further, the observations and directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Sunita Singh Choken v. State of Haryana & Ors., CWP No. 18670 of 2016, decided on 01.02.2018, should be duly considered while formulating a similar policy for Everest Summiteers in Maharashtra.