Hyderabad: Students from several universities, including Osmania University, Kakatiya University, and JNTU Hyderabad, have joined the protests happening at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). They are opposing the State government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli.
Students from the English and Foreign Languages University and JNTU Hyderabad have also spoken out against the clearing of the land, which is known for its rich biodiversity. At Osmania University, several student unions held a protest demanding that the government stop the auction and protect the land and wildlife. A similar protest took place at Kakatiya University. Later, police arrested some of the protesters at the Arts College and took them to a local police station.
The students are asking for the immediate release of those arrested during the protests. They are also calling for an independent and fair investigation into the police action against students. Additionally, they want an end to what they describe as the criminalization of student activism.
Nagaraju, a student from Osmania University, said that selling the land would harm the environment. He pointed out that the government had already taken 100 acres from the Agricultural University for a High Court building and is now targeting UoH land. He urged the government to withdraw the construction equipment from the campus immediately and provide a written promise that the land will stay under the University’s control. He also asked for the release of the minutes from the Executive Committee meeting that discussed the issue.
He warned that if the government does not cancel the plan to auction the 400 acres, the protests will become even stronger.
