The Congress party has accused Mumbai police of forcibly entering its Maharashtra headquarters, Tilak Bhawan, and detaining tribal students and NSUI members who had come from Nashik to protest. The students were advocating for their demands related to tribal development, including scholarships and better facilities in residential schools. However, police officials have denied these claims, stating no arrests were made at Tilak Bhawan.
- Congress alleges police entered party headquarters and detained tribal students and NSUI members.
- Students protested for over 10 days demanding improvements in tribal development and education.
- Police deny arrests at Tilak Bhawan, stating protesters were detained elsewhere while planning a march.
- Congress threatens to gherao the Chief Minister's residence if students are not released.
What led to the protest by tribal students in Mumbai?
Tribal students from Nashik marched to Mumbai to raise awareness about their demands related to the tribal development department. Their concerns included scholarships, lack of basic amenities in ashram schools and hostels, and other issues affecting their education and welfare. The protest had been ongoing for more than ten days, with students traveling by bus and on foot to seek attention from government officials.
What does the Congress party claim happened at Tilak Bhawan?
According to State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, police entered the Congress headquarters late at night, threatened the students, and took some into custody. He also claimed that NSUI state president Sagar Salunkhe and the Mumbai head of the party's youth wing were arrested. Sapkal described the police action as illegal and a sign of high-handedness.
How have the police responded to these allegations?
Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Kalwaniya denied that any arrests were made at Tilak Bhawan. He explained that protesters had planned to march to Lok Bhawan, the governor's residence, and that police were detaining protesters from various locations to prevent this march. Legal action was being taken against those detained, but no one was arrested inside the Congress headquarters.
What are the demands of the tribal students?
The tribal students are seeking redressal of several issues, including timely scholarships, improved facilities in ashram schools and hostels, and accountability from the tribal development minister and department commissioner. They have demanded the resignation of these officials for not addressing their concerns adequately.
What actions has the Congress party threatened if the students are not released?
Sapkal warned that if the detained students and NSUI office-bearers are not freed immediately, Congress leaders from across Maharashtra would gather in Mumbai to gherao (surround) the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' official residence, known as Varsha bungalow, as a form of protest.
How does the Congress party view the police response to the protests?
The Congress condemned the police action, stating that threatening students and using force instead of addressing their legitimate demands suppresses democratic values. The party emphasized its support for the tribal students and their right to protest peacefully. It accused the government of attempting to silence the students through intimidation rather than dialogue.
