On Tuesday, over 5,000 members of the tribal community participated in the ‘Ulgulan Morcha’ march in Nashik. The demonstration began at Anant Kanhere Maidan and concluded at the Tribal Development Department Commissionerate. Protesters raised various demands focused on the rights and needs of tribal students and the broader community. This significant turnout underscores the community’s commitment to advocating for educational and social equity.
The protest caused temporary traffic congestion in the city centre as the march moved from Golf Club through ND Patel Road and MG Road. Protesters also staged a road blockade outside the Nashik Collectorate for nearly an hour before proceeding to the commissionerate, where they staged a sit-in. The morcha was organised by tribal community members from across North Maharashtra, with volunteers from the Ravan Yuva Foundation, Adivasi Nayak Foundation and Adivasi Bachav Abhiyan participating.
“A total of 584 students have died across tribal residential schools (Ashramshalas) in the state in the last two years, as per data from the tribal development department.
Our demand is the immediate resignation of Tribal Development Minister Ashok Wooike, Tribal Development Department Secretary Vijay Waghmare and Commissioner Leena Bansod,” said Lalitkumar Chaudhari, a prominent tribal rights leader known for organising the Long March and Birhad Andolan.