The Students Federation of India (SFI) has urged the Congress government to cancel its decision to auction 400 acres of land belonging to Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in Gachibowli. According to SFI, the land is set to be auctioned between March 8 and 15 to raise ₹18,000 crore by selling it to corporate companies through the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC).
SFI reminded that when the BRS government had earlier attempted to transfer university land to private entities, student protests forced the government to withdraw the decision. They argued that the current Congress government, which claims to represent the people, should also protect university land instead of handing it over to corporations. This land is important for students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, and is home to important ecological sites like the well-known Mushroom Rock. It also supports wildlife, including peacocks, deer, and rare plant species.
The student organization stressed that giving this land to businesses would negatively impact biodiversity and disrupt an area of ecological, cultural, and academic significance. They criticized the Congress government for ignoring educational interests while opposing the BJP for similar actions, such as privatization and the transfer of public wealth to large corporations like Ambani and Adani. SFI stated that if the Congress government is truly committed to education and environmental protection, it should cancel the land auction and return the land to the university.
The SFI State Committee has demanded that the government stop the auction and instead use the land to develop university infrastructure, such as research centers, libraries, and hostels for poor students. They warned that if their demands are not met, they would organize protests across the state in support of HCU students.
