Maharashtra tribal students’ fight is not just for education and jobs but for Adivasi identity: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi had met a delegation of tribal students during his visit to Nashik on Wednesday. File Pic/PTI

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the struggle of tribal students in Maharashtra is about more than education, employment, hostels and food, reported the PTI.

He said the students are also fighting for their existence and Adivasi identity.

Rahul Gandhi shared a video on X showing his interaction with tribal students during his visit to Nashik on Wednesday.

In a post accompanying the video, Gandhi referred to the concerns raised by the students over their identity and rights.

The Congress leader said, "We are Adivasis; RSS-BJP want to turn us into Vanvasis", and added that the struggle of tribal students from Nashik and across Maharashtra was not limited to basic facilities and education, according to the PTI.

Rahul Gandhi said he was pleased to meet the students, whom he described as brave for standing up for their rights and raising their concerns with the Maharashtra government.

Gandhi meets students during Nashik visit

Gandhi had met a delegation of tribal students during his visit to Nashik on Wednesday. The group included students who had staged a hunger strike over their demands.

The students had raised several concerns, including the condition of ashram schools meant for tribal communities.

Gandhi said he had listened carefully to the students' problems and demands and assured them that the Congress and he would stand with them in their fight for their rights, as per the PTI.

‘Education is a right, not a privilege'

During his Nashik visit, Rahul Gandhi had also said that education was a right of every student in India and should not be treated as a privilege.

He stressed that every student should have access to a safe, respectful and suitable environment for education.

Gandhi also said students from marginalised communities should not be neglected by the system and should instead receive the necessary support and assistance.

Focus on tribal students' demands

The Congress leader's remarks come amid protests by tribal students over education and welfare-related issues in Maharashtra.

The students have been raising concerns over facilities at tribal ashram schools and other issues affecting their education and living conditions.

Gandhi's comments have placed the students' demands within a wider debate over Adivasi identity, rights and representation in Maharashtra.

(with PTI inputs)