The indefinite hunger strike by tribal students at a Pune hostel has entered its ninth day, with two students hospitalized due to severe dehydration and breathing issues. The protesters are demanding compensation for tragic deaths and the withdrawal of restrictive hostel guidelines.

  • Indefinite hunger strike by tribal students in Pune's Manjari continues for the 9th day.
  • Two students, Vijay Bhanbdle and Rahul Dhanwe, hospitalized at Sassoon Hospital.
  • Demands include ₹1 crore compensation for Gadchiroli snakebite victims and scrapping of restrictive hostel rules.

The ongoing protest at the Government Tribal Hostel in the Manjari area of Pune has reached a critical juncture. As the indefinite hunger strike entered its ninth day on Friday, August 21, 2026, the health of the protesters took a concerning turn, leading to the emergency hospitalization of two students.

According to protest leader Navnath More, 22-year-old Vijay Bhanbdle and 24-year-old Rahul Dhanwe were rushed to Sassoon Hospital after experiencing acute breathing difficulties and severe dehydration. While two are receiving medical attention, other protesters, including Nikita Metkar (22), Shweta Girnak (26), and Sharad Thokal, continue their strike to demand justice and policy reforms.

Read Also:Maharashtra Government Reverses Online-Only Newspaper Order for Ministers

Core Demands and Policy Conflicts

The students are primarily protesting against a government resolution issued on August 5, which introduces age restrictions and academic break conditions that they deem unreasonable. Furthermore, a provision prohibiting hostel residents from engaging in part-time employment has sparked intense backlash.

Protest leader Sharad Thokal emphasized the need for financial autonomy, stating, "Why stop students from working part-time? Financial empowerment is necessary for some students, especially those over 18."

The list of grievances is extensive, including:

  • Scrapping the guideline that reserves 70% of hostel vacancies for students from the same district.
  • Demanding ₹1 crore compensation for the families of three girls who died from snakebites at a residential school in Gadchiroli.
  • Criminal prosecution of officials responsible for the Gadchiroli deaths.
  • Implementation of recruitment for 12,500 tribal posts and the permanent reinstatement of PESA employees.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this protest highlights a significant disconnect between state-level administrative policies and the socio-economic realities faced by tribal students. The intersection of academic restrictions and the denial of economic opportunities creates a barrier to social mobility, potentially fueling long-term resentment within the community.

The escalation of this hunger strike underscores a deep-seated systemic failure in providing both safety and economic agency to tribal youth.
Did You Know?: The PESA Act is a landmark legislation in India designed to empower tribal communities through local self-governance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the students on a hunger strike?
They are protesting against restrictive hostel rules, employment bans, and seeking compensation for deaths in Gadchiroli.

2. What is the current health status of the protesters?
Two students have been hospitalized at Sassoon Hospital due to dehydration and breathing complications.