New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to urgently intervene in the ongoing hunger strike by Adivasi students in the state and address their grievances over hostel regulations, safety and living conditions.
In a post on X, Gandhi said a large number of tribal students had been on hunger strike for more than ten days while seeking what he described as their rightful entitlements. He urged the Maharashtra government to engage directly with the protesting students and resolve their concerns without further delay.
Gandhi referred to the Echo of Students event held in Pune, where female students reportedly spoke about the difficulties they face in state-run hostels. According to Gandhi, the students raised concerns over an age restriction that prevents individuals above 30 from staying in hostels, along with allegedly humiliating rules, inadequate facilities and provisions that affect their dignity.
“These students, coming from remote villages and towns, are not asking for charity; they are demanding their rightful entitlements,” Gandhi said, urging Chief Minister Fadnavis to personally meet representatives of the protesting students.
One of the major concerns highlighted by Gandhi was the regulation barring students above the age of 30 from hostel accommodation. He said the rule could adversely affect tribal students pursuing higher education or preparing for competitive examinations, particularly those who may have faced social or economic barriers earlier in their educational journey.
Gandhi also raised concerns about the safety and basic facilities available in some government-run tribal hostels. He alleged that students have been living in conditions lacking adequate food, sanitation and medical facilities. He further referred to reports of injuries and deaths involving students, including fatalities allegedly caused by snake bites, to underline the seriousness of the safety concerns.
The Congress leader also strongly criticised a reported requirement for female students returning after prolonged absence to undergo pregnancy and medical examinations to establish their “fitness” to continue staying in hostels. Gandhi described such a provision as an unacceptable violation of the dignity, privacy and humanity of women students.
He said students from remote tribal communities often depend on government hostel facilities to continue their education and pursue professional opportunities. Any policy that restricts access to such facilities or creates unsafe living conditions, he argued, could have a direct impact on their educational prospects.
Gandhi called upon Fadnavis to meet the protesting students personally and take immediate steps to address their demands. A formal memorandum outlining the students’ grievances and demands was also attached to his communication to the Chief Minister.
The Opposition leader stressed that the students were seeking their legitimate rights and a safe, dignified environment for education, rather than seeking special treatment or charity from the government.
