Nashik Tribal Students Call Off Hunger Strike After Talks With District Collector, Sit-In Continues

September 5, 2026

Nashik: Tribal students protesting in Nashik have called off their hunger strike following discussions with District Collector Ayush Prasad. However, the students have decided to continue their sit-in protest until their broader demands are addressed.

Students from Pune, Nagpur and Nashik had launched the agitation on August 13 against changes in government tribal hostel rules. Their demands later expanded to include hostel facilities and safety, tribal reservations, recruitment to vacant posts and appointments under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).

#WATCH | Nashik, Maharashtra: The hunger strike by tribal students in Nashik was called off following discussions with the District Collector. However, the students will continue their sit-in protest. pic.twitter.com/8kCX25KcRR

— ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2026

Students raise several demands

The protesters have also sought timely issuance of caste validity certificates and compensation for the families of three tribal girls who died after snake bites at an ashram school in Gadchiroli.

Another key demand is the immediate implementation of the pending recruitment process for 12,500 tribal posts, along with recruitment against other vacant positions across Maharashtra.

The students have also called for the reinstatement and permanent appointment of PESA employees who were relieved from service.

In addition, the protesters have demanded Rs 10 crore insurance coverage for every student staying in tribal hostels and studying in tribal residential schools.

Government assures students of positive approach

District Collector Ayush Prasad said Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike is in continuous contact with the students and that discussions are underway with the Tribal Development Department to resolve the issues.

Prasad said decisions had already been reached on several of the issues raised by the students and that the government was taking a positive approach towards resolving their concerns.

He also said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured a positive approach to the demands, with the aim of ensuring that students do not leave their schools or colleges to participate in protests.

Pune hunger strike ended on August 30

The Nashik students have ended their hunger strike but will continue their sit-in protest as discussions on their demands continue.

In Pune, a 17-day indefinite hunger strike by tribal students at the Manjari tribal hostel ended on August 30 after Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike met the protesters and gave written assurances on their demands.