Rahul Gandhi Urges Fadnavis to Meet Protesting Adivasi Students

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written an open letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him to personally meet tribal students protesting in Pune against newly introduced hostel regulations. Gandhi argued that the rules strip students of their dignity and threaten to cut off their access to education, according to the letter shared on his social media account.

Poor Living Conditions Highlighted

In the letter, Gandhi pointed to unsafe conditions in state-run hostels for adivasi students, describing shortages of food, sanitation, and medical care. He noted that students have faced injuries and even died, including from snake bites, and said facilities available to female students are in an even worse state. Gandhi also raised concerns over a rule requiring female students returning after a long absence to undergo pregnancy and other medical tests, calling it deeply degrading. The remarks follow his visit to Pune last week, where he met affected students and promised to raise their grievances.

Students Demand Policy Rollback

The protesting students have asked Gandhi to press for the withdrawal of two government resolutions issued on August 5 and August 14 this year, which they say worsen their living conditions. They have further demanded that an older 2011 government resolution be revised to reflect current needs, along with an increase in financial assistance provided to hostel residents. Gandhi echoed their position, stating that the students are not seeking charity but asserting entitlements that are rightfully theirs.

Gandhi is expected to return to Maharashtra this weekend for a Congress workers’ training camp in Nashik, where the issue may resurface amid ongoing political attention to tribal welfare policies in the state.