Female Tribal Students to participate in long march for not receiving accommodation in govt hostels
'If I don't get admission to a hostel, then I have to travel two hours daily. Later, do household chores, leaving me no time to study,' says Pratiksha. The travel development department (TDD) is unable to accommodate her or the other 160 girls at the Junnar tribal hostel because the 80-occupancy hostel is already occupied by 200 girls (beyond capacity). The same issue has come up across various districts in Maharashtra.
Student Federation of India (SFI) held several discussions with the tribal department for the accommodation of these girls in government hostels. However, it did not take a fruitful turn, resulting in a sit-in protest outside the Tribal Development Department in August 2024 in Nashik. SFI has now decided to organise a long march on May 1 over the delay in the admissions of tribal students in the hostels. The rally will start from Shivneri Fort to the Chief Minister's residence in Mumbai. The rally was first to commence on April 28, however, it has been postponed to May 1, after waiting for a response from the Tribal department.
'We have constantly followed up on the issue, but TDD is not giving us any solid solution. With no accommodation, the girls will be unable to take admissions to colleges, wasting one academic year or travelling long hours, impacting their studies. This is one of the reasons many tribal students are deprived of higher education,' said Ramdas Prini Sivanandan, executive member of SFI.
SFI wrote a letter to the Tribal Development Department addressing problems of students from Ashram Schools and Hostels across the state, including the quality of food and availability of hostel spaces. They also demanded to stop the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for meals and reinstate the mess system, provide hostels to students who applied, construct government buildings instead of rented premises, and others.
The Tribal Development Department has acknowledged the problem and claimed that they are exploring options to accommodate students. 'Government is exploring several options to immediately accommodate the students not just in Junnar but across Maharashtra, wherever this problem has prevailed. We have also sent a proposal to the government for DBT under the Swayam Yojana, waiting for a positive outcome. Besides, renting a building and pooling human resources takes time. However, we are in the final stage of getting this issue resolved,' Tribal Department Commissioner Leena Bansod told The Hindu.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
16 hours ago
- United News of India
SFI, DYFI criticise Guru Purnima, court controversy in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (UNI) CPI(M)-affiliated student and youth organisations, SFI and DYFI, courted controversy after criticising the Guru Purnima, also known as Vyas Jayanti, celebrations in Kerala. The left-wing organisations opposed the observance of Guru Pooja during the Guru Purnima celebrations held in schools under Vidya Niketan across the state. Reacting to the controversy, ABVP State Joint Secretary M. Arya Lakshmi alleged that SFI and DYFI were deliberately attempting to destroy positive cultural practices and the nation's heritage. She said this reflects their ideological bankruptcy and fosters a destructive mindset among the youth. Accusing SFI and DYFI of turning schools and colleges into hubs of moral decay, drug abuse, and violence, she said they had lost credibility due to their disruptive interventions in Kerala's higher education sector. 'SFI and DYFI have no respect for Indian traditions. Their so-called gestures of 'respect' for teachers involve placing wreaths, digging mock graves, burning chairs, and threatening violence—including beating or cutting off teachers' legs,' she remarked, recalling their history of campus violence. She emphasised that Guru Pooja and the act of touching the feet of elders are integral parts of Indian culture, which equates the mother, father, teacher, and God. 'This tradition has been proudly followed by Indians for thousands of years,' she noted. 'In line with this heritage, schools under Bharatheeya Vidya Niketan have been organising Guru Pooja celebrations on Vyas Jayanti or Guru Purnima every year, involving elders and teachers from the community,' she added. She contrasted this with the alleged ideological agenda of the SFI, claiming, 'While schools under Vidya Niketan are imparting cultural consciousness to the younger generation, SFI is attempting to divert public attention by sensationalising such events. Anyone with common sense can see through their tactics.' She urged the parent community in Kerala to view the issue clearly and recognise what she termed a 'communist conspiracy' aimed at destroying positive cultural values in society. UNI DS ARN
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Students washing teachers' feet: Kerala education minister condemns act
1 2 T'puram: General education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday condemned the act by certain schools run by Bharatheeya Vidya Nikethan where students were allegedly made to wash the feet of teachers to mark Guru Purnima on Thursday. Even as Sivankutty said an explanation would be sought from the school management, reports of similar incidents emerged from other parts of the state. Ruling CPM's student outfit SFI, meanwhile, said the 'condemnable' ritual was held in RSS-controlled schools. "The govt views with great seriousness the news that students were made to wash teachers' feet in some schools run by Bharatiya Vidya Niketan. This act is contrary to democratic values and is worthy of protest. Education is meant to foster scientific awareness and progressive thinking in children. Such actions undermine the fundamental goals of our educational system," Sivankutty said. Reports said similar rituals were performed at Saraswati Vidyalaya in Kasaragod's Bhandadka, Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeetom Sainik School in Mavelikkara and Vivekananda Vidya Peedom in Attuva near Nooranad, both in Alappuzha. Describing the act as "extremely shocking", the minister said the public education director was instructed to promptly seek explanations from these schools, which follow CBSE syllabus. "Practices that instil a servile mindset in students cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Education should impart knowledge and self-awareness. Education is a right that was fought for and won from a time when it was denied based on caste. This right should not be surrendered to anyone. Strict measures will be taken to prevent such activities from being repeated in educational institutions," Sivankutty said. He added the govt had the authority to take action against any schools, regardless of syllabus, that do not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. Milk and rosewater used At Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeetom Sainik School in Mavelikkara, students honoured 101 teachers by washing their feet with milk, rosewater and water. They later applied vermilion and sandalwood and offered flowers. The children chanted Guru mantras, bowed down and offered prayers. They also honoured them with Ponnada and Bhagavad Gita and received their blessings. At Vivekananda Vidya Peedom in Attuva near Nooranad, a local BJP leader also allegedly took part in 'pada pooja' along with the teachers. Teachers and former teachers were honoured by students during the ceremony. In a statement, SFI state president M Shivaprasad urged authorities concerned to investigate the matter and take stringent action. It was part of an agenda to impose "chaturvarnya" (ancient caste system) in the society and the "uncivilised" act could not be accepted at any cost, he said. MSID:: 122404378 413 |
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Outrage over foot worship at schools in Kasaragod, Kannur
A series of 'Pada Puja,' foot-washing ceremony, held in multiple CBSE schools in Kasaragod district has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties, child rights bodies, and civil society. The ceremony, part of Guru Purnima celebration on Vyasa Jayanti, saw students kneeling and washing the feet of teachers, including retired teachers, and offering flowers in a symbolic ritual of reverence on Thursday. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday demanded a report from the Director of General Education and condemned the practice as 'undemocratic and against the spirit of modern education.' The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights sought reports from the Bekal Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Badudka police on the incident. The rituals were reportedly held at Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam at Bandadka, Thrikkarippur Chakrapani Vidya Mandiram English Medium School, and Cheemeni Vivekananda Vidyamandiram — all under the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan umbrella. A similar ceremony was also held at Sreekandapuram Vivekananda Vidyapeedam in Kannur. The events were led by the Vidayala Samiti in celebration of Vyasa Jayanti. Visuals of the event has been widely circulated on social media, drawing criticism. Terming the event as primitive and degrading, the Student Federation of India, Balasangham, and Democratic Youth Federation of India staged protests and lodged complaints. The SFI approached the child rights commission, demanding accountability. SFI Kasaragod district secretary K, Pranav said the ceremony was regressive and contrary to Kerala's progressive educational values. The DYFI said the ritual was an attempt to introduce Sangh Parivar ideology in educational institutions and undermine scientific temper and secular values of the public education system. The DYFI announced a State-wide campaign 'Human vigilance against Sangh Parivar's move to return to primitive times' on July 14 in front of private schools. Earlier, Mr. Sivankutty, speaking to mediapersons, reiterated that such practices eroded the purpose of education, to foster critical thinking and self-awareness. 'Instilling a slave mentality in students has no place in democratic society,' he said. The Minister said the Department of General Education had the authority to take action against schools in any syllabus that did not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. The Welfare Party of India also condemned the act, calling it an insult to humanity. In a statement, the Kasaragod district unit accused the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan of attempting to usher in a Hindutva-oriented social order through education institutions. The demanded an investigation and strict action against those responsible.
