The University of Hyderabad (UoH) is witnessing major student protests. Scholars and activists are speaking out against land encroachment and police actions on campus. The unrest started when the Telangana government decided to use a piece of land near the university for IT development. What began as a protest over land use has now grown into a larger movement against police brutality and poor university management.
The conflict dates back to 2003, when the government gave land to IGM Bharat to develop sports facilities. However, since IGM Bharat did not use the land for that purpose, the government took it back. Instead of giving it to the university or protecting it as a green area, the state now wants to build an IT hub there. This decision angered many students.
Ph.D. scholar Dhanunjay explained that the land is home to rare trees, antelopes, and reptiles. “This is an ecologically important area. Replacing it with buildings is unacceptable,” he said. Students say the government’s claim that they provided alternative land to the university is misleading, since the new land has environmental value.
The situation worsened when the police arrived during a peaceful student gathering on the Ugadi festival. Students say they were observing the developments when police charged at them and detained several students. Dhanunjay said many were forcefully dragged, manhandled, and even had their clothes torn during the incident.
Two Ph.D. students, Erram Naveen and Rohith Bond, were arrested and charged under serious non-bailable sections of the law. They have been in Sangareddy jail for over a week and have not yet been granted bail.
The UoH Students’ Union condemned the police’s actions. They accused the Telangana police of acting on behalf of the Congress government to silence students. The union said the police crackdown is harming students’ health, education, and basic rights. They have demanded the release of the arrested students and asked for immediate government intervention.
UoH Student Union President Umesh Ambedkar criticized Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He said that instead of sending Ugadi greetings, the government sent bulldozers (JCBs) to clear the land. Ambedkar also claimed that the government carried out similar operations during Ramadan, taking advantage of times when students were less active.
Support for the students is growing. Former UoH student Joel Prabhakar, now a Youth Officer in Tamil Nadu, expressed concern over the loss of green space. Environmentalists also warn that destroying the university’s green areas could damage Hyderabad’s ecological balance.
Despite the arrests and heavy police presence, students remain determined to fight. “This is not just about land. It’s about saving biodiversity, protecting our university, and standing up for our rights,” said Dhanunjay. The protestors are reaching out to NGOs, environmental groups, and public figures for support. Actor Prakash Raj and music composer Mani Sharma have already voiced their solidarity.
Legal proceedings are underway, and students hope the courts will support their cause. The next few days will be critical, as students plan more protests, legal steps, and public campaigns to protect one of Hyderabad’s last green areas from commercial development.
