Pune: Tribal Students in Manjri Government Hostel On Hunger Strike Over Various Demands

Manjri, 30th November 2023: Approximately 650 students residing in the S.T. Boys Government Hostel in Manjri have decided to go on a hunger strike, demanding timely payment for meals, improved basic facilities, and an increase in the number of security guards. The students expressed frustration, stating that their various demands have been continuously ignored by the government over the past three to four years.

The tribal welfare department oversees a boys’ and girls’ hostel in the Manjri area, accommodating around 600 boys and over 200 girls. Since November 28, students from the boys’ hostel have initiated a chain hunger strike to draw attention to their demands. They have been advocating for their rights since 2019, emphasizing the inconveniences faced by a significant number of students.

The students’ key demands include the initiation of MSCIT, Typing, and other courses, provision of security guards and sweepers, timely admissions, government premises for the hostel building, and access to free health facilities.

Noteworthy Demands:

– Addressing hostel housekeepers’ abusive behaviour towards students regarding the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and ensuring timely processing.
– Advocating for an increase in the amount given to hostel students or commencing meals in advance.
– Proposing schemes modelled after Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI) and Social Action for Rural and Tribal In-Habitants of India (SARTHI), including training for competitive examinations.
– Requesting incentive allowances for meritorious students.

In this regard, Mahendra Bhoye, a Tribal Student in Pune, expressed his dismay, stating, “Despite continuous representations to the government over the past two years, there has been no discernible change in the situation. The students have decided to continue the indefinite hunger strike until their demands are addressed by the Additional Commissioner.”