Several students from the University of Hyderabad were detained by the police on Sunday after protesting against the Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government’s decision to clear a 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli for auction. The land, which borders the university, is part of the state government’s plan to develop multi-infrastructure projects, including IT parks.

The Telangana government, led by the Congress party, is reportedly aiming to auction this land to attract investment and promote the establishment of IT parks. However, the proposal has sparked opposition, with many students and residents raising concerns about the environmental impact of such developments.

The Sunday protest began when students noticed bulldozers clearing the site. In response, some climbed onto the machines, shouting slogans against the police and demanding they leave the area.

The protest quickly escalated, resulting in the detention of 13 students, including the general secretary of the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU), who were taken into custody by the police.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has defended the proposed land development, stating that it will help promote investment and create large-scale employment, particularly in the IT sector.

In the Telangana Assembly, Reddy had accused university students of being provoked and said that public interest litigations (PILs) were being indirectly filed in courts concerning the land auction.

The 400-acre land is situated in the city’s Financial District, which is part of Hyderabad’s thriving IT hub. Reddy had stated that the government plans to boost economic growth by promoting infrastructure projects and attracting businesses to the region.

BRS, Congress Lock Horns

The issue has sparked political debate, with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) criticising the ruling Congress for its handling of the situation.

The BRS pointed out the contradiction in Congress’s stance, referring to party leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Mohabbat ki Dukaan" slogan and accusing the government of betraying the principles of transparency and fairness.

“The Congress’s ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ has now reached Hyderabad Central University. Students protesting against the Congress government’s decision to sell off 400 acres at Kancha Gachibowli, along with journalists, were arrested by the Telangana Police," the BRS posted on X.

“Rahul Gandhi goes around holding a copy of the Constitution and ‘preaching’,, ’ut his government is doing exactly the opposite, the party alleged. “Mohabbat ki dukaan nahi, ye Congress dhoke ka bazaar hai" (This is not a shop of love but a market of deception by Congress)," the BRS added.