Students accuse the Maharashtra Tribal Development Department of neglect, as protesters demand fair educational support
NEW DELHI — More than 500 tribal students from government hostels in Nagpur staged a major protest outside the Tribal Development Directorate demanding immediate action over delayed scholarships, unpaid allowances and poor living conditions in hostels.
The protest, organised under the banner of Adivasi Student Association Vidarbha, highlighted the growing frustration among tribal students who say government promises related to education and welfare remain unfulfilled on the ground.
Students from 14 government tribal hostels across Nagpur participated in the agitation under severe summer heat, with several protesters reportedly staying overnight at the protest site.
The students submitted a detailed memorandum listing long-pending grievances linked to the functioning of the Maharashtra Tribal Development Department.
According to the memorandum, the state government operates tribal hostels to help students from remote villages pursue higher education. Official figures reportedly show that 495 tribal hostels have been sanctioned across Maharashtra, out of which 491 are currently operational.
However, protesting students claimed the actual condition of many hostels remains deeply unsatisfactory.
Students accused the department of delaying Direct Benefit Transfer payments, scholarships, mess allowances and other educational support schemes essential for poor tribal students.
They said many students come from economically weak families and depend entirely on government assistance for survival and education.
Ganesh S. Irpachi of the Adivasi Student Association Vidarbha said delays in financial support were creating serious hardship.
“Many students belong to extremely poor families. Because of delays in DBT, scholarships and mess allowances, they are facing severe financial difficulties and struggling to continue their education,” he said.
Students also raised serious concerns about the condition of government hostels.
According to protesters, many hostels suffer from a shortage of drinking water, poor sanitation, a lack of security and an unhealthy environment for studies.
They further alleged that facilities such as computers, Wi-Fi, printers, libraries and competitive examination study material were either inadequate or completely missing in several hostels.
Students said these shortcomings were negatively affecting tribal youth preparing for competitive examinations and limiting opportunities for students from rural and tribal backgrounds.
One student participating in the protest said, “We are not demanding luxury. We are asking for basic facilities that every student deserves.”
Another protester added, “Education is the only path available for many tribal students to improve their lives, but the system itself is making it difficult for us.”
The memorandum submitted by students included 21 major demands.
Among the key demands were immediate release of all pending payments for the academic year 2025-26, including dress allowances, educational tour expenses and medical reimbursements.
Students also demanded extension of hostel sessions beyond ten months, establishment of a central library and study centre in central Nagpur, and proper digital facilities in all tribal hostels.
They further sought direct and timely transfer of scholarships into students’ bank accounts, an increase in dress allowance to ₹5,000, and educational tour allowance to ₹10,000.
The protesters also demanded the construction of separate and secure hostel buildings for tribal girl students.
In addition to educational concerns, students raised issues related to pending tribal recruitment drives, including PESA recruitment and thousands of reserved posts that have reportedly remained vacant.
Although the protest ended on Saturday, student leaders warned that a larger statewide agitation could begin if their demands are not addressed during a meeting scheduled for 25 May with the Tribal Development Department.
The protest has once again drawn attention to the gap between government claims about empowering tribal youth through education and the difficulties faced by students on the ground.
Activists say tribal students continue to struggle with financial insecurity, weak educational infrastructure and administrative negligence despite repeated promises of upliftment.
Many students at the protest said they were fighting not only for scholarships and facilities but also for dignity and equal educational opportunities.
For tribal communities across Maharashtra, the outcome of the upcoming government meeting is now being closely watched as students hope authorities finally respond to their long-pending concerns.
