Tribal students detained in Mumbai during protest for scholarships

The Maharashtra Congress has accused the state government of being ‘anti-tribal’ following the detention of hundreds of tribal students in Mumbai. The students, many of whom traveled from Nashik on foot or by bus, were protesting to demand scholarships, improved basic amenities in ashram (residential) schools and hostels, and the resignation of the tribal development minister and the department’s commissioner.

According to the Congress party, Mumbai Police intercepted and detained the students in the early hours of Monday. The party alleged that police forcibly entered its office, Tilak Bhavan, where the students were being provided shelter, and attempted to intimidate those staying there. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal criticized the police action, stating that the students were attempting to raise their grievances through peaceful and democratic means.