Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to intervene in the ongoing hunger strike by tribal students protesting against rules governing state-run hostels.
In his letter to Fadnavis, the Congress leader claimed that the students have been on hunger strike for more than 10 days, seeking changes to regulations they describe as restrictive and humiliating.
Rahul Gandhi stated that he met the protesting students during his recent visit to Pune and heard their concerns about difficulties faced by tribal students from rural and remote parts of Maharashtra.
Rahul urged CM Fadnavis to meet representatives of the students personally, listen to their demands and work towards an early resolution of the issue.
He said the students were not seeking charity but were demanding access to rights and welfare benefits intended for them.
The hunger strike
In a post on X in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Numerous tribal students from Maharashtra have been on a hunger strike for more than 10 days to demand their rights. During the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune, female students shared that hostels enforce an unnecessary age limit of 30 years, humiliating rules, unsafe facilities, and inhuman provisions such as pregnancy checks for women. These students, coming from remote villages and towns, are not asking for charity—they are demanding their rightful entitlements. It is expected that you will meet them personally and immediately resolve their issues.”
मुख्यमंत्री @Dev_Fadnavis जी,
महाराष्ट्र के अनेक आदिवासी छात्र 10 दिनों से अधिक से अपने अधिकारों के लिए भूख हड़ताल पर हैं।
पुणे में ‘छात्रों की गूंज’ के दौरान छात्राओं ने बताया कि छात्रावासों में 30 वर्ष की अनावश्यक उम्र सीमा, अपमानजनक नियम, असुरक्षित सुविधाएं और महिलाओं के लिए… pic.twitter.com/mzoIrscyYD
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 24, 2026
Students oppose 30-year hostel age limit
One of the main demands raised by the students is the removal or relaxation of the 30-year age limit for admission to government-run hostels.
The protesters argue that the restriction can affect students pursuing higher education, particularly those from disadvantaged and remote communities who may begin or resume their studies at a later age.
They have also sought changes to several hostel rules and procedures that they claim are undignified and unreasonable.
Students’ health raises concern
The students have continued their hunger strike for more than 10 days, prompting concerns over their health.
Rahul Gandhi urged the Maharashtra government to take steps to resolve the dispute without further delay and prevent the protest from affecting the wellbeing of the students.
Government response awaited
The student representatives have submitted a memorandum outlining their demands, including changes to hostel eligibility rules and operational guidelines.
As of Monday, the Maharashtra government had not issued an official response to Rahul Gandhi’s letter or announced a resolution to the protest.
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: