Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, who embarked on an indefinite hunger strike on August 29 to demand the release of Tamil Nadu’s Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds, was hospitalized on Saturday night due to health complications. Despite high blood pressure forcing his admission to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, the 46-year-old former IAS officer remains resolute in continuing his protest until the central government releases the state’s rightful education funds.

Senthil, initially admitted to Tiruvallur Government Hospital, was shifted to Chennai for advanced care. In a social media post on Sunday, he reaffirmed his commitment: “Even from the hospital, I continue my hunger strike with the same determination until our rightful funds under the SSA scheme are released.” He urged the people of Tamil Nadu to join him in democratically demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan release the funds without letting ideological differences obstruct justice.

The SSA scheme, critical for supporting school education, has been a point of contention, with Tamil Nadu alleging that the central government is withholding funds due to political motives. Senthil’s protest has garnered significant attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi personally speaking to him on Saturday to express full support for his cause, according to senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore.

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Tagore condemned the Union government’s delay, stating, “Denying Tamil Nadu its SSA funds is not just financial injustice—it’s an attack on federalism and democracy.” He called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to intervene and ensure the voice of an elected MP is heard. “The Union government must stop punishing Tamil Nadu for political reasons and release the funds immediately,” Tagore added in a Facebook post.

Senthil’s hunger strike, now in its third day, has sparked widespread debate about the central government’s approach to federal funding. Supporters argue that withholding SSA funds jeopardizes educational opportunities for Tamil Nadu’s students, while critics of the central government see it as a broader pattern of politicizing financial allocations. As Senthil continues his protest from the hospital bed, his resolve underscores the deepening tensions between the state and the center over fiscal federalism.

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