MP: Tribal students of Satna sit on dharna outside the collector’s bungalow, alleging bad food and harassment in the post-matric hostel
The students have demanded that Superintendent Ramanand Kushwaha be removed immediately and the quality of food be improved. Also, a high-level inquiry should be conducted into the incidents of exploitation and intimidation in the hostel.
Published on: 14 Apr 2025, 12:14 pm
Bhopal. Students of Scheduled Tribe Post Matric Hostel of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh have once again raised their voice against the administration. Late on Saturday night at 11 o’clock, 18 students sat on a dharna outside the Collector’s bungalow. The students have made serious allegations against the hostel superintendent Ramanand Kushwaha and the staff. They say that they are being given contaminated food and are being mentally and physically tortured if they protest.
Students’ ordeal: Mosquito nets and other essential items are not available
Jitendra Dohre, a student pursuing MA B.Ed, said that the superintendent keeps many essential items including mosquito nets locked in the room, which causes problems to the students. He alleged that if a complaint is made, the students are threatened and the matter is ignored.
Student Ramprakash made serious allegations against the female hostel staff and said that they misbehave with the students and threaten to implicate them in false cases. He even said that the female staff snatches even the roti from the hands of the students.
SDM investigated
On receiving information about the students’ protest, SDM City Rahul Siladia reached the hostel on Sunday. He inspected the kitchen, water tank, cleanliness and other arrangements. The students were talked to and explained and assured that the problems would be solved.
SDM said, “The main problem is the lack of coordination between the students and the superintendent-staff. We have given instructions to remove the shortcomings found during the inspection. Also, a committee of students will be formed, which will directly report the problems to me.”
Complaint has already been made
This is not the first time that such complaints have come up against the hostel. Earlier on March 28, about 40 tribal students had made a similar complaint. Then the matter was settled with the mediation of the Tehsildar and the superintendent was removed. But the students say that the circumstances have not changed, only the responsible faces have changed.
The students have demanded that Superintendent Ramanand Kushwaha be removed immediately and the quality of food be improved. Also, a high-level inquiry should be conducted into the incidents of exploitation and intimidation in the hostel.
Legal provisions
Legal expert and advocate Mayank Singh told The Mooknayak that if ST students are discriminated against or harassed in the hostel, it is a serious crime. Doing so is punishable under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
He said that if abusive language is used to deliberately intimidate or insult a student, it comes under section 3(1)(r), which can lead to a punishment of 6 months to 5 years and a fine. Similarly, if a tribal student is denied food and drinking facilities, it is an offence under section 3(1)(z). In such a situation, if the student complains to the police, a case can be registered under these sections.
