Powai hostage crisis: Rohit Arya protested against education dept in 2024

Rohit Arya

In August 2024, Rohit Arya had protested against Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, alleging that the government had ignored his contribution and withheld his payment and recognition for the project - ‘Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala' (My School, Beautiful School) - that he claimed he conceptualised. He accused the state government of using his design and campaign materials without credit.

During the 12-day protest, Arya collapsed due to seizures and had to be hospitalised. Following the protest, Arya had claimed that on August 3, 2024, Kesarkar had personally met him, acknowledged his expectations, and also promised to resolve the issue. Trusting the minister, Arya ended his fast. However, when no action followed, he resumed his agitation. He later claimed that officials cited a pending departmental inquiry as an excuse for non-payment.

Arya also asserted that he had been facing false allegations. Arya claimed that his campaign - inspired by the film ‘Let's Change' - was used as the basis for the PLC Swachhta Monitor programme launched in 2022. But despite his creative input, he was completely sidelined once the initiative was adopted by the state.

During his agitation in 2024, Arya claimed that Kesarkar liked his concept and included it in the ‘Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala' scheme, approving '2 crore for it. But later, neither the money was released nor his name was given due credit.