The Bombay High Court on Saturday directed the Maharashtra Government to ensure immediate medical care for tribal students in Pune who have been on hunger strike for the last 15 days, after it was informed that the health of one of the protesting students had deteriorated.

“We do not want a single student to lose his or her life,” Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge remarked as the Division Bench, also comprising Justice Gautam Ankhad, took up the matter urgently.

The Bench directed the State to provide appropriate medical facilities to the protesting students and ordered that they be admitted to hospital, if required. It also directed the authorities to provide food to the students wherever necessary. The Court further took note of the circumstances that had led the tribal students to commence the hunger strike, including the death of a student allegedly due to food poisoning after consuming food served at a tribal ashram school and an incident in which three students died following snake bites.

The issue was mentioned before the Bench after the Court was informed about the ongoing protest by tribal students seeking better infrastructure and educational facilities in Pune.

Advocate General Dr Milind Sathe apprised the Court that the State Government was taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the protesting students.

Taking note of the submission, the Bench said the immediate priority was to ensure that the health and safety of the students was not compromised.

“AG has apprised us about the swift action initiated by the State Government,” Acting Chief Justice Ghuge observed.

The Court nevertheless directed the State to ensure that appropriate medical facilities were made available to the students until the matter is considered further.

The Bench also took note of the grievances which had prompted the students to begin their hunger strike.

The Court was informed that the students were protesting over issues concerning infrastructure and educational facilities for tribal students.

Among the circumstances highlighted before the Court was the death of a student due to food poisoning after consuming food served in a tribal ashram school. The Court was also informed about an incident involving the deaths of three students following snake bites.

The Bench directed that the protesting students be provided medical attention and, where necessary, hospitalised.

The Court further directed that food be provided to the students if required, notwithstanding their ongoing protest.

The PIL has been directed to be listed as the first matter before the Division Bench on Monday for further consideration.