Pune: Tribal students called off their hunger strike late on Saturday night — the 17th 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.A students’ delegation, led by Suraj Bande, met Fadnavis earlier in the day at his official residence Varsha. 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.Uike said,”The students have been on a hunger strike for the past 17 days. We had discussions with them multiple times during this period. We had a detailed discussion today (Saturday) at Varsha and issued the two GRs in favour of their demands. We have set a timeline to meet all the demands.”Six of the students on hunger strike sought an hour to discuss the issues further despite Uike’s assurance. After the minister told them that their demands would be fulfilled and the students’ delegation members spoke with the govt’s representatives, they finally ended the hunger strike.Rajaram Padwi, one of the students on hunger strike, said, ”We are pausing the strike, but we will reignite the agitation if the govt fails to fulfill its promises..”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). 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.”Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi earlier wrote to chief minister Fadnavis, urging him to meet the students and resolve their grievances. A student from the tribal development department’s hostel in Manjari had raised concerns of protesting tribal students with him at his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event in Pune on Aug 22.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. Rohit said he would join the students’ movement if the govt failed to fulfill the promises in the stipulated deadline.Dr Jyoti Nikam, medical officer, Manjari primary health centre, said, “The students’ body have undergone drastic changes after such a long period of hunger strike. Therefore, we have referred them for multiple tests and investigations to ensure that their vitals are stable.”
