University of Hyderabad Students Launch Indefinite Protest Over Land Dispute

Students Boycott Classes, Demand Removal of Police and Earthmovers from Campus​

Hyderabad, April 1 – The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU) has declared an indefinite protest and class boycott starting Tuesday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of police personnel and earth-moving machinery from the university premises.

UoHSU Vice President Akash called on both students and faculty to join the protest on campus, intensifying the standoff between student bodies and the university administration.

Accusations of Betrayal Amid Land Dispute​

In a joint statement, the UoHSU and allied student associations accused the university administration of "betraying" the student community by allegedly aiding land clearing operations for the Telangana state government on 400 acres at Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the university grounds.

Protesters condemned what they described as a “brutal police crackdown” on peaceful demonstrators and demanded a written assurance confirming that the disputed land would be formally registered under the university's name. They also sought public disclosure of Executive Committee meeting minutes and greater transparency regarding land-related documents.

BJP Leaders Prevented from Visiting Protest Site​

Adding to the controversy, a delegation of BJP legislators, led by party floor leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, was reportedly prevented by police from visiting the disputed site. Reddy claimed he was not allowed to leave his residence and was given no official notice explaining the restrictions. He further alleged that other BJP MLAs faced similar treatment.

Government vs University: Conflicting Claims on Land Ownership​

The Telangana government's plan to develop IT infrastructure on the disputed 400 acres has sparked strong opposition. While the government insists the land belongs to the state, the University of Hyderabad claims otherwise.

In a detailed note, the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) asserted it has legally proved its ownership of the land and warned that any disputes challenging this would amount to contempt of court. The government stated that revenue records confirm the land is not forest land and emphasized its commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

According to the TGIIC, a land survey was conducted in July 2024 with the university's consent and in the presence of university officials. The boundaries were finalized during that survey.

However, UoH Registrar Devesh Nigam refuted this, stating no such survey had taken place. He clarified that only a preliminary inspection of the land’s topography was carried out, denying that the university agreed to demarcation.

Students, Activists Oppose Development Over Environmental Concerns​

Student groups and environmental activists have voiced firm opposition to the proposed development, raising concerns over potential ecological damage. Protests escalated on Sunday when students observed the arrival of police and earth-moving equipment. Over 50 students were detained and later released.

Police reported that on March 30, when TGIIC initiated work at the site based on a government order, a group including university students attempted to halt the activity and allegedly attacked workers with sticks and stones, leading to two arrests.

The land dispute has quickly become a flashpoint, pitting students, activists, and political leaders against the state’s development agenda, while questions about transparency and rightful ownership remain unresolved.