BARTI student attempts self-immolation over scholarship payment

Students of BARTI, an institute for welfare of Scheduled Caste, are protesting against the state government’s decision to grant only 50 per cent of the pending scholarship fund from the date of the scholarship award. The students, citing financial hardship, launched a hunger strike on August 5.

On Friday, a student Sanvidhan Dugale, attempted self-immolation but was prevented from carrying it out by policemen present there. A video of the incident has been widely shared on social media.

Smartana Patil, deputy commissioner of police confirmed the incident. “Policemen present at the protest site promptly intervened and prevented the incident. The boy was counselled.”

The protesters, spearheaded by the BARTI researcher student struggle action committee, are demanding an urgent meeting with the chief secretary of the department of social justice, and have warned of more students attempting similar acts if no resolution is reached by tomorrow afternoon. Students have also boycotted the verification of scholarship documents and have blocked the institute’s main entrance.

Explaining the issue, Dugane said, “We Scheduled Caste students studying under BARTI have been promised a fellowship for research projects, but we haven’t received it for the last two and a half years. We are also demanding 100 per cent fellowship, similar to what Maratha and OBC students have been receiving since 2022.

However, on July 25, the government issued an order to release 50 per cent of the pending fees which we feel is a grave injustice,” said Dugane.

Dugane said that due to the pendency of the stipend, students are facing financial struggles. “I had to borrow money from friends and family and even pawn my mother’s jewellery to cover my expenses. In desperation, I even attempted self-immolation. The government assured to arrange a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but instead, a meeting was arranged with his PA, claiming the Dy CM was unavailable. We demand justice,” he said.