Maharashtra students march to Mumbai after month-long Nashik protest
Tribal students in Maharashtra have intensified their agitation by marching towards Mumbai after conducting a month-long protest in Nashik. According to Nashik Police, at least 30 participants were detained on Monday night as hundreds of tribal students began their march towards the state capital. Sagar Pawara, an NSUI member and tribal student leader who mobilized the protesters, confirmed the detentions and stated the march would take days to reach Mumbai.
The tribal students are demanding basic facilities in schools and hostels, alongside the resignation of Maharashtra's Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike. They have submitted a 26-point demand charter to the government addressing various issues faced by students at tribal schools and hostels. Key demands include an independent probe into deaths at tribal ashram schools, financial assistance for families of three students who died following snakebite in Gadchiroli, establishment of a separate Tribal Commission, and greater student representation in policy-making. The students have also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation each to families of three girls who died of snakebite at an ashram school in Japtalai, Gadchiroli, and Rs 50 lakh each for the injured.
Pawara stated that if all demands are met, the protesters will turn back, but added this seems highly unlikely and the students are not willing to negotiate. A delegation of protesters was scheduled to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
