Hundreds of tribal citizens, led by the Gram Samvardhan Social Organization, staged a protest march to the Pen Tehsil Office on Tuesday, demanding justice in the death of Khushbu Namdev Thakre, a 4th-grade student at the Government Adivasi Ashram School in Tambadi Thakurwadi, Borgaon. The protesters called for a thorough investigation and criminal action against the officials responsible for her death.
Khushbu, a resident of Varavane in Pen taluka, died on January 22, 2025, during treatment for leprosy under the Maharashtra government’s Kushta Rog Surakshit Maharashtra (Kusum) campaign. Her parents allege that medication was administered without their consent, resulting in a severe reaction that led to her death. Despite repeated appeals from the family, activists, and the tribal community, no FIR had been registered even after three months, prompting Tuesday’s agitation.
Khushbu Namdev Thakre, a 4th-grade student |
The protestors, including social activist Santosh Thakur, Khushbu’s father Namdev Thakre, activist Nanda Mhatre, and several tribal leaders, demanded that criminal charges be filed against the medical officers and administrative authorities involved in the campaign and her treatment.
“Officers from the Kamath Primary Health Centre, district health department, leprosy officers from Alibag and the taluka, Ashram school staff, and doctors from MGM Hospital who treated Khushbu must be investigated and held accountable,” said social worker Santosh Thakur.
Protest Erupts In Pen Over Tribal Student’s Death; Activists Demand FIR And ₹10 Lakh Compensation |
Protest Erupts In Pen Over Tribal Student’s Death; Activists Demand FIR And ₹10 Lakh Compensation |
Protest Erupts In Pen Over Tribal Student’s Death; Activists Demand FIR And ₹10 Lakh Compensation |
“The child was given medicines without parental consent. The parents were only informed when Ashram school teachers called to report that she was unwell. The medication caused adverse reactions and damaged her kidney. The authorities then asked the parents to take her home and insisted they continue the treatment—warning that she would otherwise be barred from the school. When her condition worsened, she was taken to MGM Hospital, where doctors told the family she did not have leprosy,” Thakur added.
The protestors demanded that Khushbu Thakre’s clinical analysis report be released immediately. They also called for an official inquiry into the actions of the medical officers and tribal development officials involved in the Kusum campaign. They insisted that all medical and school staff associated with Khushbu be thoroughly investigated.
They urged the government to establish a special inquiry committee to probe the incident and submit a report within 15 days. Protesters also demanded that the inquiry reports prepared by the District Surgeon and District Health Officer following Khushbu’s death be made public. They called for compensation of Rs 10 lakh to be provided to Khushbu’s family.
To prevent such incidents in the future, the demonstrators demanded the appointment of permanent medical staff in Ashram schools to monitor students’ health, along with dedicated caretakers to ensure nutrition, hygiene, and personal care. They also insisted on regular health screenings for illnesses such as sickle cell anemia, G6PD deficiency, and tuberculosis. No treatment, they stressed, should be initiated without first reviewing medical test results.
Protesters also demanded that no serious medical treatment be administered to students without parental consent. They called for the establishment of separate tribal hospitals at both taluka and district levels to prioritize treatment for tribal citizens. Finally, they urged the government to develop a dedicated healthcare policy for tribal school students and name it in memory of Khushbu Thakre.
“We have investigated the matter and are awaiting the chemical analysis report,” said a police officer from Pen police station. Meanwhile, Pen Tehsildar Tanaji Shejal stated that they would forward the application submitted by the girl’s father to the state government.
