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A Circle Inspector in Telangana’s Mahabubabad has been relieved from active duty pending an inquiry after a video showing him grabbing two protesting polytechnic students by their throats triggered widespread outrage over the use of excessive force against students.
Mahabubabad Town CI Raghupathi Reddy was ordered to stay away from official duties by Superintendent of Police P Shabarish following the incident at the Mahabubabad District Collectorate on Wednesday, August 19. A DSP-rank officer will conduct an inquiry into the incident, the SP said.
The action came after visuals of the police officer grabbing at least two students by their throats and pushing them away from the Collectorate went viral on social media, prompting criticism from student organisations and civil society groups.
The students had gathered outside the Collectorate as part of protests against the Telangana government's decision to merge polytechnic education with the Young India Skills University (YISU) under Government Order 97.
Students alleged that the CI grabbed two protesters by their throats during a confrontation as police attempted to prevent them from entering the Collectorate. The students said the force used against them caused them difficulty in breathing.
The incident occurred amid protests across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Mahabubabad, organised by student groups including the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) and the Telangana Polytechnic Joint Action Committee (TPJAC).
The protesters are demanding the withdrawal of GO 97 and opposing the government's proposal to bring polytechnic education under the Skill, Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiative (SHAKTI).
Students and members of the teaching community have raised concerns that the proposed restructuring could dilute technical education and reduce opportunities for diploma students. They have demanded that polytechnic colleges continue under the existing technical education system.
One of the major concerns raised by students is the potential impact on lateral-entry opportunities through the Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET). Protesters fear that the restructuring could affect their prospects of pursuing engineering degrees after completing diploma courses.
At the Mahabubabad Collectorate, students attempted to march towards the building as part of their protest. Police intervened to stop them, leading to a tense confrontation between the protesters and police personnel.
The controversy escalated after the video of Raghupathi Reddy's actions circulated widely, with student organisations demanding action against the officer and questioning the use of physical force to disperse students.
