Pune tribal students continue hunger strike for 10th consecutive day
Tribal students in Pune are on their tenth day of a hunger strike demanding better hostel facilities, safety measures, and inflation-adjusted financial allowances. The protest follows the tragic death of students in a separate incident, highlighting systemic neglect.
Why it matters
This protest underscores ongoing social justice issues regarding the treatment and safety of marginalized tribal communities in India's education system.
Students of the Government Tribal Hostel in Hadapsar's Gopalpatti area continued their protests and hunger strike for the tenth day on Sunday (August 23, 2026) over long-pending concerns regarding hostel facilities, safety, allowances, and the implementation of government measures for tribal students.
Six students are currently participating in the hunger strike — Shweta Girnak, 26; Nikita Mechkar, 22; Sharad Thokal, 26; Vijay Bhandble, 25; Rahul Dhanwe, 26; and Rajaram Padvi, 20.
Mr. Bhandble and Mr. Dhanwe were admitted to Sassoon Hospital on Saturday after experiencing breathing difficulties and dehydration, but they have been discharged and rejoined the protest on Sunday, according to Akshay Ghode, a protestor with the students’ movement in Hadapsar.
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