Union Minister Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Educational Land
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the Telangana government to halt the auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus. Pradhan stressed in a letter to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy that the government must not compromise Hyderabad’s development as an international education hub.
Concerns Over Land Exchange Agreement
Pradhan highlighted that in 2003, UoH ceded approximately 400 acres of land to the Telangana government under an agreement that an equivalent land allocation would be provided in return.
However, the exchange remains incomplete because the authorities have not yet demarcated the promised land.
Now, with the Telangana government initiating auction proceedings for the same 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli, students and faculty of the university have expressed strong opposition, fearing the loss of a critical biodiversity hotspot and academic space.
BJP Seeks Central Intervention
On Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers from Telangana, including Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, submitted a representation to Pradhan seeking intervention against the Telangana government’s move.
“The authorities have recognized the University of Hyderabad as an Institute of Eminence, and it ranks among the top 20 universities in India. “The central government aims to develop Hyderabad as an international education hub, with UoH playing a key role,” Pradhan emphasized in his letter.
Supreme Court and Environmental Concerns
“The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Telangana’s Chief Secretary to prevent the felling of trees at the Kancha Gachibowli site until further notice.” Meanwhile, the Union Environment Ministry has sought a report from the Telangana government on the alleged illegal clearing of vegetation in the area. The ministry has also directed the Telangana Forest Department to take legal action under applicable forest and wildlife laws.
Protests and University Response
The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union, along with other affiliated unions, has launched an indefinite protest, boycotting classes from April 1. Protesters are demanding the removal of police personnel and earth-moving machinery from the disputed land.
The Telangana government’s plan to develop IT infrastructure on the land has further fueled protests. On March 31, tensions escalated as the government maintained its claim that the land belongs to the state, not the university. However, the UoH Registrar contradicted this claim, stating that the land boundary remains unresolved.
Government’s Next Steps Awaited
With mounting political and legal pressure, all eyes are now on the Telangana government’s next move regarding the land auction. As students and faculty continue their protests, the central and state governments are expected to engage in further discussions to reach an amicable resolution.
