43L Students, 2.2L Teachers at Risk: Despite Failing Health, Tamil Nadu MP Continues Fast for ₹2,152 Crore SSA Funds

Chennai – Tiruvallur Lok Sabha MP Sasikanth Senthil, a Congress leader and former IAS officer, entered the fourth day of his indefinite hunger strike on Monday, demanding the immediate release of ₹2,152 crore in funds allocated to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme. The protest, which began on August 29 in his constituency, highlights growing tensions between the BJP-led Union government and non-BJP states over education funding and policy implementation.

Senthil, who resigned from the Indian Administrative Service in 2019, announced the hunger strike with "deep pain and greater determination," accusing the central government of withholding the funds as a form of political vendetta.

He claims the decision jeopardizes the education of 43 lakh students and the livelihoods of 2.2 lakh teachers in Tamil Nadu, effectively undermining the Right to Education Act introduced by the previous Congress-led government. The MP alleges that the Union government is conditioning the release on Tamil Nadu's acceptance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the state's DMK government has opposed for its perceived centralization and impact on regional education systems.

On August 30, Senthil was admitted to Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital after experiencing a sudden spike in blood pressure. Doctors advised him to end the protest due to health risks, but the 46-year-old MP refused, stating he would continue until the funds are released. He was later shifted to Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on August 31 for advanced care, where he remains under medical observation. Despite repeated urgings from medical professionals to break the fast, Senthil has vowed not to relent, emphasizing that "stopping funds for children's education is a crime."

In a previous statement, Senthil had highlighted broader cuts in central funding for marginalized communities, noting a 57% reduction in pre-matric grants for Scheduled Caste (SC) students over nine years, a 77% drop for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in five years, and a 94% decline for minorities in four years. He questioned whether the government was "undermining the foundations of education for its political agenda," urging Tamil Nadu residents to demand accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The hunger strike has garnered significant support from across the political spectrum. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal extended "complete support," saluting Senthil's efforts as a "true warrior" fighting for children's right to quality education. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi personally spoke to Senthil, offering full backing. Other Congress leaders, including Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore and Karnataka's GS Karthick, have echoed calls for the funds' release, framing it as an attack on federalism.

Leaders from allied parties, such as the Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary R Mutharasan and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) officials, visited Senthil in the hospital to express solidarity and inquire about his health. ublic figures and activists have also rallied behind the cause, with social media campaigns like #ReleaseSSAFunds and #StandWithSenthil gaining traction.

SSA Funds and Interstate Tensions

The SSA scheme, aimed at universalizing elementary education, merges previous programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and supports infrastructure, teacher salaries, and inclusive education. Tamil Nadu's share has been withheld amid disputes over NEP compliance, with the state arguing that the policy imposes a one-size-fits-all approach detrimental to local needs. Senthil has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament and sought meetings with the Union Education Minister, but claims his efforts have been ignored.

Critics, including Senthil, argue that such withholdings violate federal principles, especially since Tamil Nadu contributes significantly to national revenue but receives disproportionately less in return. The Union government has not issued an official response to the strike, but similar disputes have arisen in other opposition-ruled states like Kerala and Punjab.

As Senthil's protest continues, it points out the ongoing debate over education funding, federal equity, and the politicization of welfare schemes in India. Supporters hope it will pressure the Centre to act, ensuring the funds reach Tamil Nadu's schools without further delay.