06 October,2026 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar
NCP (SP) supporters and NSUI members hold placards during a protest in Mumbai. Pic/PTI
The education sector has seen growing protests over the past few months, more than ever, with the recent demonstrations recorded on Monday when several groups took to the streets in Mumbai and Pune over different issues related to students, government policies, and educational facilities.
Hundreds of tribal students travelled from Nashik to Mumbai overnight in the protests organised by the NCP (SP) and National Students' Union of India (NSUI). "The students are asking for the resignation of the Tribal Development Minister, a change in hostel facilities, and an inquiry into student death at tribal schools, among other things," said Pradyumn Yadav, who heads the Mumbai unit of NSUI. Yadav said that the students were detained from the Congress Bhavan building even before the protests began. The group planned to continue its protest in the evening.
Moreover, NSUI state president Sagar Salunkhe alleged that the police had been giving them a "tour of Mumbai" after being detained.
Two other protests were held at Azad Maidan on Monday. One was organised by the âSave Schools' group, which is demanding that the government withdraw its decision to close schools with low enrolment. The protesters also demanded separate schools for every village and hamlet, separate teachers for every subject and that 10 per cent of national income be spent on education.
"The education sector at large is seeing discontentment because the government remains negligent about the issues pertaining to this sector. After the first day of our protest, we have been called for a dialogue with the education minister. We will reconvene at 10 am tomorrow and decide whether we have to continue our protest," said Sampat Desai, head coordinator of the Save Schools, Save Education movement.
The hunger strike at IIT Bombay continued on Monday. A group of students has been protesting against the institute's policies following the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode. The protesters have been demanding the resignation of the institute director and permission for Wakode's parents to enter the institute, among other demands. Meanwhile, another group at Azad Maidan protested against the CET Cell, demanding Centralised Admission Process (CAP) so that students do not lose out on the 2026 admissions.
In Pune, the protesters took to street, demanding the resignation of the MPSC chairman and an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the examination.
"For the first time since 2014, there is a sentiment against the ruling party on the ground itself. Things have definitely stirred up since the [July 20] Jantar Mantar protest [in Delhi], more so because students, unlike other protesting factions, don't have any pre-existing vested interests. This is the generation that was barely 5-10 years old during the Congress's rule. This is why they will only hold the current government accountable," said Abhay Deshpande, a senior political analyst.
