Pune government tribal hostel students' hunger strike enters 9th day
Tribal students at Pune's Government Tribal Hostel have been on a hunger strike for nine days now.
Two protesters were hospitalized with dehydration and breathing issues, while five students are still holding strong, asking the government to address problems affecting their community.
Students demand rollback and snakebite justice
The students want the government to roll back a recent resolution that limits age and academic breaks in hostels, and prohibits hostel residents from taking up employment, something they say hurts their financial independence.
They're also calling for an end to the 70% local quota in tribal hostels, implementation of recruitment for 12,500 tribal posts, and justice for three girls who died from snakebites at a tribal school, including compensation for their families and action against those responsible.