Maharashtra scraps tribal hostel age cap after 13-day protest

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday scrapped the 30-year age limit for admission to tribal hostels, conceding a key demand after a 13-day student protest in Pune that included a hunger strike by four students. Tribal Development Minister Ashok Ramaji Uike announced the decision with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's approval, cancelling the August 14 government resolution that had sparked the agitation. The minister said the move was made in students' interest after consultations with elected representatives.

However, The Hindu reports that students say the talks produced no written agreement on their other demands, which include linking hostel allowances to inflation, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of three tribal students who died in a snakebite incident in Gadchiroli, an insurance cover of Rs 10 crore for each tribal student, and action against 12,500 government posts reserved for Scheduled Tribes allegedly occupied by non-tribal candidates using fake caste certificates. Times Now reports that Uike also directed officials to formulate improved hostel admission and administration procedures. Students are continuing their hunger strike, with two woman protesters hospitalised on Monday evening.