The University of Hyderabad’s Student Union on Thursday, March 27 condemned Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks on the ongoing student protest. Students have been protesting against the Congress-led state government’s decision to auction off nearly 400 acres of ecologically rich land, which overlaps with the university campus.
The protest aims to safeguard the land, which is home to several wild animals including deer, peacocks, and porcupines. The demonstration gained further traction after Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) extended his support for the cause.
During the ongoing Assembly session, CM Revanth Reddy remarked on Wednesday, “There are no deer, no tigers, but only ‘cunning jackals’ who want to hinder the state’s development.” He added that the 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli had been reclaimed by the state and assigned to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).
Responding to the CM’s comments, the Student Union said in a statement that it was “shameful that the Chief Minister has resorted to such rhetoric instead of addressing concerns raised by students, faculty, and researchers.”
It is worth noting that the CM’s statement contradicts remarks made by state IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu. On March 24, Sridhar Babu assured the Assembly that the government would not take over any portion of the university’s land in Kancha Gachibowli. He also pledged to protect the university’s lakes and rock formations.
“The opposition has created a perception that the government is eyeing the university land, which is not true,” Sridhar Babu said in the Assembly, alleging that vested interests were spreading rumours.