Maharashtra tribal affairs minister Ashok Uike offers juice to students in Pune on Saturday
Pune: Tribal students called off their hunger strike late on Saturday night — the 17 th day of their agitation — after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ’ intervention with a caution to resume their agitation if the govt failed to fulfil their demands within the deadline.
Uike said,”The students have been on a hunger strike for the past 17 days.
Rohit said he would join the students’ movement if the govt failed to fulfill the promises in the stipulated deadline. The protesters relented after the state govt agreed to meet all their demands and issued two government resolutions (GRs). One GR was related to revoking the direct-benefit-transfer (DBT) norm. It also stated that each tribal hostel would house a mess, ensuring fresh and healthy food for students. In the other GR, the govt directed the committee constituted to analyse the causes of student deaths in government and aided ashramshalas (tribal residential schools) to submit its report and suggest remedial measures within three months. Tribal affairs minister Ashok Uike visited the protest site at the Manjari tribal hostel campus late in the night. He offered students fruit juice to end their hunger strike. We had discussions with them multiple times during this period. We have set a timeline to meet all the demands. Some of the policy decisions may take up to six months, but we will follow up on every promise and make sure that the govt stays true to its words. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Congress leader Yashomati Thakur addressed the students via a video call and urged them to end the hunger strike.
A students’ delegation, led by Suraj Bande, met Fadnavis earlier in the day at his official residence Varsha. We had a detailed discussion today (Saturday) at Varsha and issued the two GRs in favour of their demands. Bande, who led the students’ delegation in the meeting with the chief minister, said, “The govt has assured us that those found with bogus certificates would face the law starting tomorrow (Sunday).