Gondia, Maharashtra: The protest by tribal students in Gondia district over the Maharashtra government’s August 5 Government Resolution (GR) entered its 13th consecutive day, with hundreds of students continuing their sit-in outside the Integrated Tribal Development Project Office in Deori.
The students are opposing provisions linked to tribal hostels and have demanded complete cancellation of the August 5 government decision. Although the government has reportedly kept the decision on hold, the protesting students maintain that a temporary suspension is not enough and that the GR must be withdrawn entirely.
Students Raise Hostel-Related Concerns
According to the protesters, several long-standing issues concerning tribal students and hostel facilities remain unresolved. They have urged the government to take immediate action on their demands and have said that the agitation will continue until a concrete decision is taken.
The students have also appealed to members of the tribal community to support their campaign. As part of the appeal, they requested villagers to contribute a handful of rice and ₹20 to help sustain the protest.
Villagers Extend Support
The movement has received support from tribal communities in villages across Gondia district. Following the students’ appeal, villagers collected rice and ₹20 contributions from households and handed the supplies and financial assistance to the protesters.
Community members also reached the protest site and expressed solidarity with the students, indicating growing community support for their demands.
Two-Day Deadline to Maharashtra Government
The protesting students have now given the Maharashtra government a two-day deadline to take a positive and concrete decision on their demands. They have warned that failure to act within the deadline could lead to the expansion of the protest beyond the student community.
The Adivasi Vidyarthi Sangh and AIISF have warned that tribal community members from villages across Maharashtra could join the agitation if the demands continue to be ignored.
Warning of Wider Tribal Movement
The organisations have indicated that the current student protest could be transformed into a broader public movement involving tribal communities. They have urged the government to intervene before the situation escalates further.
The protesters have also demanded the resignation of Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike, adding a political dimension to the ongoing agitation.
Government Response Under Watch
With the agitation continuing for 13 days, attention is now focused on the Maharashtra government’s response. The protesters have made it clear that they will not withdraw the movement unless their demands are addressed.
If no decision is taken within the two-day deadline, the student organisations have warned that the agitation could expand with the participation of tribal communities from different parts of Maharashtra.