The agitation by tribal students at Nashik’s Idgah Maidan entered its 17th day on Thursday, with Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijit Dipke urging them to end their indefinite hunger strike and take their protest to Mumbai. Dipke said a march to the state’s power centre would put pressure on the government to address their demands.
Dipke visited the protest site and interacted with students who are opposing poor conditions in tribal residential schools. He said the problems raised by the students reflected the wider condition of tribal education in the country and questioned why money available under the PM CARES Fund could not be used to improve facilities.
Dipke raises concerns over school facilities
“The situation is very bad in educational institutions where tribal students study. Many schools lack drinking water, proper toilets, beds and even basic educational facilities,” Dipke said after interacting with the students.
He also questioned the use of funds kept under the PM CARES Fund and said the money could be used to improve facilities for tribal students.
“About Rs 8,500 crore is lying with PM CARES. Is this money being preserved for retirement? This amount is enough to change the fate of tribal education across the country.”
Students protest over food and basic amenities
The students have been protesting against the Central Kitchen scheme. They have alleged that stale food is being supplied to ashramshalas. Their demands include better bedding, functioning washrooms, adequate water supply and other basic facilities in tribal hostels.
Dipke said he was surprised that several ministers had visited the protest site but the issues raised by the students had still not been resolved. He also accused the state leadership of ignoring their concerns.
Dipke asks students to take protest to Mumbai
Dipke said the students would not get their concerns heard by continuing the agitation at Nashik. “Their voice will never be heard from here,” he said. “I advised them to stop the hunger strike, continue the agitation and march to Mumbai. That is where govt will be forced to hear them.” He also offered his organisation’s support to the students’ agitation.
Challenge to Fadnavis over government schools
Dipke also challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his reported claim that most government schools are in good condition. “The chief minister recently said 75% of govt schools are in good shape. Let him join me and the media on a tour of schools in Vidarbha,” he said. Dipke further challenged the government to publish a report card detailing its achievements since coming to power in 2014.
