Nashik, Maharashtra: At least 30 tribal students were allegedly detained by Nashik Police after hundreds of protesters began a long march towards Mumbai following more than a month of agitation over issues concerning tribal ashram schools and hostels.
The students have been protesting over basic facilities, hostel conditions, food and safety, along with other demands related to tribal education and welfare. The planned march towards Mumbai was intended to press the Maharashtra government to address their grievances.
The development comes weeks after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met a delegation of protesting tribal students in Nashik on September 2. The delegation included students who were on hunger strike. Gandhi said that education is a right and that students from marginalised communities should receive support and a safe environment for their studies.
The protesters’ demands include improved facilities in tribal hostels and ashram schools, an independent inquiry into deaths at such institutions, insurance coverage for tribal students, compensation for families of students who died of snakebite in Gadchiroli, filling vacant tribal department posts and action concerning the state Tribal Development Department.
The detention has added another development to the ongoing agitation, with student leaders indicating that the march and protests would continue until their demands are addressed
