Pune News: Two-Year Struggle Of BARTI PhD Scholars Yields Success

The struggle involved a 110-day protest in Pune (September 19, 2023, to January 6, 2024), followed by a 60-day protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai (January 24, 2024, to March 23, 2024), and a 200-kilometer long march from Phulewada to Vidhan Bhavan. This march, along with meetings with the Chief Minister and intervention by Dr. Balasaheb Ambedkar, led to the government’s decision to grant a full fellowship to all eligible BARTI scholars.

On August 23, 2024, after a final meeting with the Chief Minister, the government officially announced the restoration of the 100% fellowship for 763 BARTI students. This victory is a significant achievement for the Ambedkarite community, who supported the scholars throughout their protest. The students expressed gratitude to everyone who stood by them, emphasizing the importance of their constitutional rights and the role of research in the country’s development.