Sapkal demanded that police stop what he described as unlawful entry into the office and the intimidation of students.
Congress also claimed that students had been threatened with police cases and that a bus carrying them had been taken into custody. Targeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the party said the government should address their grievances rather than use force against them.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh joined the criticism in a post on X, describing the state’s “double engine” government as “Adivasi-virodhi”, or anti-tribal.
The party pledged support for the students, asserting that arrests and threats would not silence their demands.
According to the Maharashtra Congress, police stopped students early on Monday before they could stage a protest at Azad Maidan. The party said the students had been protesting for more than ten days over scholarships and the lack of basic amenities in ashram schools and hostels.
Students travelled from Nashik by bus and on foot to press their demands, including the resignation of the tribal development minister and the department’s commissioner, whom they blamed for failing to resolve their grievances.
Congress claimed that students were threatened with police cases and that a bus carrying them was taken into custody. It expressed support for their demands and criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying the use of threats and police force undermined democratic rights.
Sapkal claimed police personnel had been entering the premises since midnight, threatening students and trying to take them into custody.
He demanded an immediate halt to what he described as unlawful entry into the office and attempts to intimidate and forcibly detain the students.
With PTI inputs
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