Politics · India Bureau
Education is fundamental right, not privilege: Gandhi tells tribal students
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has underscored that education is a fundamental right of every student in India, not a privilege reserved for the few. His remarks came during a meeting with tribal students in Maharashtra who are demanding better conditions in ashram schools.
LSN India ·
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, met with a delegation of tribal students in Nashik on Wednesday, including those engaged in a hunger strike to press for their grievances. The students have been protesting against multiple issues affecting their education, with particular focus on the deteriorating conditions in ashram schools designated for tribal communities.
During the visit, Gandhi listened to the students' concerns and subsequently emphasized that education must be accessible to all. "Education is not a privilege—it is the right of every student in India," Gandhi stated in a social media post following the meeting.
The Congress leader stressed that every student deserves access to a respectful, safe, and conducive learning environment. He highlighted that students from marginalized communities should receive adequate system support rather than face institutional neglect, asserting that the educational system must actively facilitate their advancement.
The Nashik visit underscores ongoing concerns about educational infrastructure and resource allocation in ashram schools, which have long faced criticism over living conditions and academic standards. The protests reflect broader questions about educational equity in India's tribal regions.