Tribal Activists Shift Protest To Mumbai

Tribal activists in Maharashtra have withdrawn their indefinite hunger strike in Nashik, which had been ongoing for two weeks, and are now shifting their focus to Mumbai. The hunger strike was held to protest the lack of basic facilities for students in tribal residential schools.

The activists are demanding the resignation of Tribal Development Minister Dr Ashok Uike and the removal of Tribal Development Department Secretary Vijay Waghmare and Commissioner Leena Bansode from their posts.

The sit-in protest in Nashik will continue, while the proposed Ulgulan Maha Morcha will be held next week in Mumbai to press for the resolution of issues faced by tribal students.

Tribal student organisations have intensified their agitation over the lack of facilities in tribal hostels across the state, the cancellation of the central kitchen system, alleged financial exploitation of tribal students in the name of donations, and the issue of 593 deaths of hostel students over the past two years.

The organisations have alleged that Dr Uike, Secretary Waghmare, and Commissioner Bansode are responsible for the situation.

Rahul Pawara, Laxmi Jadhav, and Vivek Gavit had been on an indefinite hunger strike for two weeks demanding Dr Uike’s resignation and the immediate removal of Secretary Waghmare and Commissioner Bansode.

The Tribal Development Commissionerate made efforts to persuade the protesters to withdraw their agitation, but these attempts failed.

Instead, the participation of students in the protest continued to grow, with a massive Ulgulan Morcha being staged at the Tribal Development Commissionerate on September 1.

The development is likely to pose a fresh challenge to the government, with tribal activists from across Maharashtra expected to participate in the Ulgulan agitation, along with Abhijit Deepke, president of CJP.

The issue of tribal students' welfare has been a long-standing concern in Maharashtra, with many students facing difficulties in accessing basic facilities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

The government has been criticized for its handling of the issue, with many alleging that it has failed to take adequate measures to address the concerns of tribal students.

The Ulgulan Maha Morcha in Mumbai is expected to draw attention to the issue and put pressure on the government to take action.

In conclusion, the withdrawal of the hunger strike in Nashik and the shift of the protest to Mumbai marks a new phase in the agitation by tribal activists, who are determined to bring about change and ensure that the concerns of tribal students are addressed.