Pune Tribal Students' Protest Continues on 13th Day; Talks with Minister Yield No Breakthrough

PUNE: The protest by tribal students at a government boys' hostel in Pune entered its 13th day on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), following a meeting between ten student representatives and Tribal Minister Dr. Ashok Ramaji Uike in Mumbai that failed to produce concrete assurances, according to student leaders.

The students have been demanding action on a range of issues, including the withdrawal of a controversial Government Resolution (GR) issued on August 14, 2026, which they say affects hostel admissions for Scheduled Tribe students. Vijay Waghmare, a Secretary in the Tribal Department, said the Ministry has issued a stay order on the GR, describing it as a major concession. “The government has met the major demand of the students regarding the Hostel Admissions GR. We have continued to interact with them and responded positively to their other demands. However, it will take time for putting them into action,” he said.

However, Balakrishna Gawari, a member of the Students Federation of India (SFI), said the discussions ended without any significant progress. “They told us that they could not give us a definite written agreement to their demands, and that we could continue the protests if we wanted to,” he said, adding that no breakthrough was achieved.

Among the key issues raised by the students is the alleged occupation of 12,500 government posts reserved for Scheduled Tribes by non-tribal individuals using fake caste certificates. The students are demanding that these posts be declared vacant and filled with deserving tribal candidates, and that action be taken against those who fraudulently claimed tribal status.

The protest has also entered a critical phase with four students—Sharad Thokal (26), Vijay Bhandble (25), Rahul Dhanwe (26), and Rajaram Padvi (20)—continuing their hunger strike at the Adivasi Government Boys Hostel near the Hadapsar-Manjari border. Two other students, Shweta Girnak (26) and Nikita Mechkar (22), were admitted to a hospital on Monday evening due to deteriorating health.

The students' demands also include linking allowances and financial provisions to the Consumer Price Index to ensure annual increases in line with inflation. They have called for enhanced security for students staying in tribal hostels and ashram schools, and an insurance cover of ₹10 crore for every tribal student. This demand follows the recent deaths of three tribal students in a snakebite incident in Gadchiroli. The students have also sought compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of the deceased.

Additionally, the protesters are urging the government to provide a safe and well-equipped central hostel building for female students in Pune. They also want immediate filling of vacant posts in hostels and ashram schools, including positions for peons, security guards, and sanitation workers, either permanently or on a contractual basis until regular recruitment is completed.

The protest, now in its second week, highlights the ongoing concerns of tribal students regarding their rights, safety, and access to education. With talks failing to yield a resolution, the students have indicated that they will continue their agitation until their demands are met.