Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar

Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar has come out in support of students of the city-based Tata Institute Of Social Sciences (TISS), who have been protesting against the withdrawal of financial aid provided to them. Ambedkar demanded that the Maharashtra government release funds for the distribution of scholarships to students across the state, and said the issue will also be raised in the ongoing session of the Legislature.

A section of students has been on strike since February 21 after the TISS administration asked many of them, who have been chosen for government scholarships but are yet to get the money, to clear their dues related to tuitions, dining and hostel fees. The students of the research institute have also been protesting against the withdrawal of financial aid provided to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) scholars. On March 5, the TISS students' union announced its decision to end the strike, but a section of students continued with the agitation.