Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has lashed out at the Congress-run Telangana government for arresting a reporter who was reporting on student agitations at the Hyderabad University. The agitations broke out against the contentious clearing of forest land within the university campus and the auction of a 400-acre plot adjacent to the institution.
KTR denounced the action of the police and blamed the state government for trying to muzzle the media and voices of dissent.
“The draconian police overreach in Telangana is alarming. Journalists are being detained, and dissenting voices arrested. This blatant suppression of free speech and expression is unacceptable,” KTR said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).
BRS Slams Congress on Press Freedom
KTR also took a swipe at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, calling him hypocrite. KTR said that Gandhi keeps talking about democracy and free speech but says nothing when his party-ruled government cracks down on the press.
The arrested journalist, Sumit, was reporting on the arrest of students demonstrating against the felling of trees on the university campus. Sumit uploaded a video on social media depicting his arrest, which added to the controversy.
Krishank, the BRS spokesperson, also condemned the detention of the journalist, blaming the Congress government for diluting the role of the media in democracy.
BRS Leaders Criticize Government’s Legal Actions
BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay also complained about the Congress government taking more and more legal actions against its critics. He blamed the ruling party for making cases against opposition leaders and neglecting issues like the latest question paper leak.
Sanjay referred to the Congress government as “Dushman ki Dukaan” (Shop of the Enemy), blaming it for more concern for political suppression rather than dealing with governance failures.
Hyderabad University Students Protest Land Auction
Protests at Hyderabad University started after students saw earth movers clearing a part of the campus. Believing this was the beginning of land auctioning, students immediately moved to the location, climbed onto the movers, and chanted slogans against the authorities.
More than 50 students were arrested by the police during the protest, but they were subsequently released.
Planned Land Development Sparks Controversy
The Telangana government intends to transform the 400-acre property adjacent to the university at Kancha Gachibowli into an IT park. Nevertheless, students and lecturers have complained about the environmental degradation and encroachment of university property.
The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU) deplored police action and referred to land clearing as an assault on the university’s environmental and territorial integrity.
Students Demand Land Ownership for Hyderabad University
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), a group of student unions, faculty members, and workers’ associations, has asked for legal action to stop the auction of land. They have requested the administration of the university to have the land registered in its name formally so that it is not sold.
Protests are still being carried out by students, asking for transparency and accountability from the government on land use policies.
With protests snowballing, the Telangana government comes under mounting pressure from students, opposition leaders, and activists. With legal and political wars, the fate of the disputed land and freedom of the press in the state continues to be a contentious issue.
