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Telangana Govt Assures Relief for University of Hyderabad Students Facing Police Cases Amid Land Auction Row
Hyderabad:
In response to widespread student protests over the proposed auction of 400 acres of land adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus, the Telangana government has pledged to adopt a “sympathetic view” toward students facing police action and affirmed its commitment to dialogue and environmental concerns.
The assurances were made during a meeting held on April 7 between a three-member ministerial committee, the University of Hyderabad Teachers’ Association (UHTA), and civil society representatives. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, an alumnus of UoH and a member of the committee, stated that the government would coordinate with legal departments to explore relief options for students named in police cases.
The committee also includes Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu—also a UoH alumnus—and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
Key Assurances from the Government:
- Police Presence Limited: Law enforcement will be confined to the disputed 400-acre tract of land, in accordance with a Supreme Court directive. The government will write to UoH requesting a review of police deployment in other parts of the campus, contingent on university assurances.
- Relief for Students: Efforts will be made to provide legal relief for students against whom FIRs were registered during the recent protests.
- Engagement with Students: The ministers expressed willingness to engage in direct dialogue with students, though campus visits by the committee may be restricted due to ongoing Supreme Court proceedings.
Background:
The protests erupted after the state government announced plans to sell 400 acres of land near the university to IT firms, prompting students to raise concerns about environmental degradation and the lack of stakeholder consultation. The contested land is reported to be ecologically rich, home to diverse species of flora and fauna.
The student agitation was met with a heavy police response. Two former UoH students—B. Rohit Kumar and Erram Naveen—were arrested on charges including rioting and placed in judicial custody. At least 54 UoH students, along with students from other state universities such as Osmania University, Telangana University, and Palamuru University, were detained during a protest held on March 30.
Students have also demanded a biodiversity assessment of the disputed land. However, the government clarified that no such survey can be conducted by faculty or students without the Supreme Court’s consent.
Government’s Stance:
“The government is committed to balancing environmental protection, democratic rights, and student welfare while complying with Supreme Court directives,” said Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka. He added that while the ministers’ committee remains open to visiting the campus, students are encouraged to engage directly with the panel for constructive dialogue.
The developments mark a step forward in resolving the standoff between students and the state, with both legal and environmental issues remaining at the center of the dispute.
