Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar – In a shocking demonstration of desperation, five young men attempted self-immolation in the office of state Minister for Finance, Minorities, and District Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar on Thursday afternoon. The youths, identified as Raju Dandge, Deepak Suradkar, Ravindra Ingle, Sitaram Padle, Dayanand Shewale, and Dinesh Tambe, reportedly doused themselves in diesel, citing unresolved issues impacting the Adivasi Koli community.
Emergency services were quickly deployed, and one of the individuals was transported to the Government Medical College in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for further treatment. Reports indicate that two of the youths may have ingested poison; however, police clarified that the illness arose from inhaling diesel rather than poison consumption. The alarming act of protest stems from grievances over unfulfilled promises made by Minister Sattar regarding social issues affecting the tribal Koli community.
Previously, Sattar had acknowledged the community's struggles, particularly regarding the lack of a validity certificate for the “Tribal Koli Malhar Jamat” and had pledged to convene a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to address these concerns. Despite the Minister's assurances, the youths felt compelled to take drastic action when the issues remained unresolved by the specified deadline. Fortunately, swift intervention by local authorities averted a potential tragedy as the police arrived on the scene and facilitated medical assistance for the youths. Additional Superintendent of Police Sunil Lanjewar confirmed that the individuals were out of danger following their hospitalization.
Efforts to reach Abdul Sattar for comment on the incident were unsuccessful, as his phone was reported switched off. A personal assistant indicated that the Minister was in Mumbai and unaware of the incident. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Adivasi Koli community, raising urgent questions about governmental accountability and the need for timely resolutions to these critical social issues. Community leaders continue to advocate for swift action from the state to fulfill the commitments made to these young men and their families.
