Hundreds of tribal students in Maharashtra will begin a nearly 180-km march from Nashik to Mumbai on Monday, Sept 28, 2026. They are demanding better facilities, safety and accountability in government-run residential schools, known as ashramshala schools.

The march is led by the Sakal Adivasi Vidyarthi Andolan Kruti Samiti. It follows a 40-day sit-in by students at Nashik’s Idgah Maidan over poor conditions in the schools.

Protesters have flagged stale and poor-quality food, inadequate bedding, unusable toilets, insufficient drinking water and weak safety and healthcare. They claim 592 students have died in Maharashtra’s ashram schools, a claim that has not been independently verified. They want Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for every student and compensation for families.

Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike had earlier said CM Devendra Fadnavis accepted all demands, including ST point-roster placement in recruitment and a committee to report within three months. The Nashik protest continued anyway.

Why it matters: the march brings the long-running agitation to Mumbai’s doorstep, raising pressure on the government to act on its promises.