The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Telangana unit, along with several Left-affiliated student organisations, has announced a statewide bandh of educational institutions on July 24. The protest is aimed at opposing the alleged assault on students’ democratic rights and the police action against students in Delhi. The bandh call has gained support from multiple student bodies across the state, signaling widespread discontent among the student community.
The bandh has received joint support from various student organisations including SFI, AISF, PDSU, AIFDS, AISB, AIPSU and other student groups. NSUI Telangana State President Yadavalli Venkataswamy announced the protest, stating that the bandh is being organised in solidarity with students across the country who are protesting the Centre’s education policies. He emphasized that the demonstration reflects the collective voice of students demanding their constitutional rights.
Venkataswamy alleged that the detention of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a protest in Delhi and the alleged lathi charge on students reflected an attack on democratic values. He stated that these incidents violate the constitutional right to peaceful protest, which is fundamental to Indian democracy. The student leader criticized what he termed as excessive use of force against peaceful protesters exercising their democratic rights.
The student organisations have put forth several demands including the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA). They have also demanded action against those responsible for the alleged police action on students in Delhi and safeguards for students’ democratic rights and their right to peaceful protest. These demands reflect growing concerns about education policies and administrative accountability.
Venkataswamy appealed to government and private educational institutions, students, teachers and the public across Telangana to support the bandh. He urged NSUI leaders and activists at the state, district, university and college levels to coordinate with participating student organisations to ensure the protest is conducted peacefully. The appeal highlights the organisers’ commitment to maintaining peace while exercising their right to protest.
The bandh comes amid ongoing nationwide protests by student organisations over education-related issues and recent demonstrations in the national capital. The coordinated effort by multiple student bodies indicates the scale of dissatisfaction among students regarding current education policies and the treatment of protesters in Delhi.
