Tribal students at Manjari on Pune’s outskirts have been on a hunger strike for over two weeks, demanding better education, hostel facilities and implementation of the Supreme Court’s employment order. They claim the Maharashtra government has ignored their pleas for years.

  • Tribal students have maintained a 16‑day hunger strike
  • Demanding implementation of the 2017 Supreme Court employment order
  • Government has so far accepted only one of 14 demands – removal of age limit for hostel admission

Since August 12, roughly 70‑80 tribal students have been camped inside the Scheduled Tribes (ST) hostel in Manjari, a village on the outskirts of Pune. They argue that the Maharashtra government has long turned a deaf ear to their concerns, even as many of them are first‑generation college go‑ers.

Their demands are crystal‑clear: higher‑quality education, modern hostel infrastructure, clean kitchens and reading rooms, and the filling of 12,500 government‑job positions reserved for tribals as ordered by the Supreme Court in 2017. They also want the promised employment benefits from that order to finally be delivered.

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To date, the state has held four rounds of talks with the protesters. Out of a list of 14 demands, only one – the suspension of the age‑limit clause for tribal hostel admissions – has been accepted. The students remain optimistic that continued pressure will secure the remaining concessions.

The protest gained additional visibility after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Pune on August 22. During his “Chhatron ki Goonj” rally, he gave the students a platform and wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging action on their grievances. Following this, the government removed the age‑cut‑off, but all other demands remain pending.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the protest highlights systemic neglect of tribal education in Maharashtra, a state that contributes significantly to India’s industrial output. If these demands remain unmet, the region risks widening socio‑economic gaps, potentially fueling unrest in other marginalized communities.

"Education is the most potent tool for tribal upliftment; denying it perpetuates historic injustices," says Dr. Anjali Rao, sociologist at Pune University.
Did You Know?: Birsa Munda, whose portrait adorns the protest site, was commemorated by the Maharashtra government on his 150th birth anniversary in 2025.

Various political parties and social organisations have visited the site, offering verbal support. Women protestors travel roughly 4 km daily from the girls’ hostel, often coping with intermittent electricity and water supplies.

During the strike, two students were hospitalized for health concerns. Medical staff continuously monitor vital signs, while other students use blue fans to alleviate heat and fatigue after 14 days without food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the main obstacles to implementing the Supreme Court’s 2017 order?
A: Key obstacles include budget allocation, lack of transparency in the selection process, and administrative inefficiencies at the local level.

Q2: What next steps could the students take if the government does not meet their demands?
A: They may expand the protest to a larger sit‑in, seek national-level political backing, or file a petition in the courts to enforce the order.