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orders medical care for fasting tribal students after snakebite deaths
The issued an urgent directive on Saturday, , ordering the to ensure immediate medical care for tribal students who have been on a hunger strike for the past 15 days. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam A Ankhad, emphasized that no further lives should be lost, referencing the recent deaths of three students due to snakebites at a residential ashram school in Gadchiroli district. The court’s intervention came amid a growing agitation over poor infrastructure, safety hazards, and unaddressed grievances at government tribal hostels and ashram schools across the state.
Background: A Long-Standing Crisis
The protest, which began in Pune district, has spread to several tribal-dominated regions of Maharashtra. Students at the and other ashram schools have been demanding improved facilities, including safe drinking water, hygienic food, adequate sanitation, and proper educational resources. The hunger strike has drawn attention to a series of tragic incidents, including a food poisoning outbreak that sickened minors in Shahapur, Thane, and the death of a student in Amravati district after consuming food served at a school. Most alarmingly, in Japtalai village, Gadchiroli, six girls were bitten by a snake, resulting in two deaths and one critical condition requiring ventilator support. These events triggered the current wave of protests, with students demanding accountability and systemic change.
Court’s Immediate Intervention
During the hearing, the petitioners’ advocate detailed these incidents, urging the court to prioritize the students’ health. The bench responded with a strong directive: “We don't want the life of even a single student to be lost.” The court explicitly asked the state to ensure that doctors were available around the clock at protest sites and that any student whose health deteriorated be shifted to a hospital immediately. Furthermore, the bench instructed that students be given food if medical professionals advised it, even as they continued their fast. “Take care of the students who have commenced a hunger fast pursuant to the death of three students due to snakebite,” the court added, underscoring the link between the protest and the recent tragedies.
Government’s Response and Assurance
, representing the , assured the bench that swift action was already underway. He informed the court that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had held a meeting earlier that day with the Tribal Development Minister and representatives of the protesting students. The government committed to taking effective measures to address all grievances, which would be extended to all affected locations. Sathe submitted that the minutes of Saturday’s meeting would be placed before the court on Monday, when the petition is scheduled for further hearing as the first matter.
Legal Implications and Analysis
The ’s order invokes the under , which encompasses the . By directing the state to provide food on medical advice, the court has effectively balanced the students’ right to protest with the state’s duty to protect life. This approach is consistent with where courts have intervened in hunger strikes to prevent avoidable deaths, particularly when the protesters are minors or vulnerable groups. The case also highlights the ongoing failure of the state to ensure minimum safety standards in residential tribal schools, a recurring issue that has been the subject of earlier .
Impact on Legal Practice and Policy
For legal professionals, this case serves as a reminder of the judiciary’s role in enforcing through . The court’s willingness to act on and issue directions without waiting for a full hearing reflects the urgency inherent in such matters. The government’s proactive stance, including high-level engagement with protesters, may influence how future tribal rights petitions are handled. If the state fails to implement lasting reforms, the court is likely to continue monitoring the situation, potentially leading to a comprehensive court-monitored rehabilitation plan for ashram schools across Maharashtra.
The case also raises questions about the accountability of school administrations and the . The snakebite deaths, in particular, point to a lack of basic preventive measures, such as proper lighting, secure sleeping arrangements, and access to antivenom. The court may eventually direct the state to adopt a detailed protocol for safety audits and health care in all tribal residential institutions.
Conclusion
The ’s immediate focus on preserving life is a necessary first step. As the petition proceeds, the larger issues of infrastructure, safety, and educational quality will be scrutinized. For now, the court’s message is clear: the state must prioritize the health of its most vulnerable students, and no protest should result in another preventable death. Legal observers will watch Monday’s hearing closely to see how the government translates its assurances into concrete action.
