**<a href="/category/bhandara" class="text-brand font-semibold hover:underline">Bhandara</a> News**: Hundreds of students staged a sit-in protest at the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office in Bhandara, demanding the withdrawal of certain conditions introduced through a circular issued by the Tribal Development Department on August 5.
The protest was organised over the new eligibility rules for students seeking admission to government-run tribal hostels. A large number of students from different hostels gathered at the Project Officer’s office, creating a tense and crowded situation.
According to the students, the August 5 circular introduces an age limit of 26 years for admission to government tribal hostels. They argued that the new condition could prevent several students, particularly those from rural areas, from accessing hostel facilities despite being eligible for higher education.
Students pointed out that financial difficulties, family circumstances and other personal challenges can sometimes delay admission to educational institutions. As a result, some students may cross the prescribed age limit before they are able to seek hostel accommodation.
The protesting students therefore demanded that the 26-year age restriction be withdrawn. They also called for greater flexibility in the rules governing hostel admissions.
Another major demand raised during the protest was related to the choice of academic course. Students said that the selection of a course for hostel admission should remain voluntary, and that students should not be subjected to unnecessary restrictions based on their course of study.
The agitation saw participation from hundreds of male and female students staying in nine hostels operating under the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office in Bhandara.
The students urged the Tribal Development Department to reconsider the provisions of the August 5 circular and take steps to ensure that students facing genuine educational and financial difficulties are not deprived of hostel facilities.
The protesters maintained that hostel accommodation plays an important role in helping students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds continue their education. They appealed to the authorities to withdraw the disputed conditions at the earliest.