Tribal Students Detained at Congress Bhavan in Mumbai During Education Protests
Hundreds of tribal students who travelled overnight from Nashik to Mumbai were detained from the Congress Bhavan building on Monday as demonstrations over educational policies, student welfare issues, and hostel facilities escalated.
The demonstration in Mumbai was organised jointly by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and supporters of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), also known as the NCP (SP). Members of the NSUI and NCP (SP) supporters held placards during the protest in Mumbai, coming together to raise concerns regarding government policies, student conditions, and state educational facilities.
According to Pradyumn Yadav, who heads the Mumbai unit of the NSUI, the tribal students gathered to press multiple specific demands with the government. Yadav stated that the students are asking for the resignation of the Tribal Development Minister, an immediate change in tribal hostel facilities, and an official inquiry into a student death reported at tribal schools, among other things.
However, police intervened prior to the scheduled start of the agitation. Yadav stated that hundreds of tribal students were detained directly from the Congress Bhavan building even before their planned protest could begin.
Despite the pre-emptive detentions carried out at the Congress Bhavan premises, student leaders and organisers indicated that their agitation would not stop. The group confirmed that it planned to resume and continue its protest later in the evening.
The unrest reflects a wider pattern across the state, as the education sector has seen growing protests over the past few months, more than ever. On Monday, several groups took to the streets in both Mumbai and Pune to voice grievances over student issues, educational administration, and government policies.
Alongside the tribal students from Nashik demanding better hostel facilities, Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) protesters also staged demonstrations on Monday. The MPSC candidates took to the streets to protest over examination irregularities, demanding the resignation of the MPSC chairman as widespread student unrest gripped Mumbai and Pune.
