Students oppose the Revanth Reddy administration’s auction of 400 acres of “forest land” close to campus, arguing that the property was never designated as such in the records. The case will next be heard by the High Court on April 7.
The Revanth Reddy-led government in Telangana is facing mounting criticism from University of Hyderabad (UoH) students over its decision to clear 400 acres of what they call “forest land” near the campus. This has sparked concern among some Congress leaders, who privately acknowledge that the controversy is tarnishing the government’s image, while opposition parties Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and BJP ramp up their attacks.
Chamala Kiran Kumar, Congress MP from Bhongir, told The Indian Express that the government is open to dialogue with the students to address their grievances but dismissed the uproar as “purely political.” He accused the BRS of hypocrisy, noting, “They fought for control of this land in court, and now that Congress has won the legal battle, they’re trying to block development.” Kumar pointed to a May 2024 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Telangana’s ownership of the land, adding that no permission is required for the proposed project. He also argued that the land’s greenery exists simply because it has been unused for years. “There’s no court stay right now. If the courts or the National Green Tribunal rule against development, we’ll comply. So why is the opposition inciting protests?” he questioned.
A senior Congress leader, speaking anonymously, supported Kumar’s stance. “Like in the Lagcharla case, we’ll abandon the project if the students’ concerns prove valid. We’re willing to listen, but they should recognize that the Supreme Court has upheld the state’s ownership,” the leader said. The government’s decision to auction the 400 acres through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for development has drawn ire, especially after the recent arrest of two women journalists added to the backlash. Environmentalists have approached the Telangana High Court, citing a 1996 Supreme Court ruling that defines any land with forest cover as “forest land” in the dictionary sense, and are pushing for it to be declared a national park. The High Court will take up the matter on April 7.
Adding to the tension, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stoked controversy on March 26 by calling the protests “politically motivated” on the Assembly floor and comparing the BRS to “cunning foxes” behind the unrest. “There are no tigers or deer there, just foxes trying to halt progress,” he remarked. The Congress has largely maintained this line, while the BRS has criticized Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi’s silence, given his past advocacy for environmental causes.
Tensions escalated on Sunday when police detained 53 students attempting to stop over 50 earth-moving machines from clearing the land, just days before the High Court hearing. BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan defended the protests, saying they concern “Hyderabad’s future and its biodiversity.” He questioned the government’s urgency, asking, “Why not use the 45,000 acres acquired for the Future City project instead of destroying a natural forest? This shows their disregard for the courts and exposes Gandhi’s inconsistency.” Sravan noted Gandhi’s earlier visits to UoH to support protests in the Rohit Vemula case.
Wildlife advocates highlight that the area hosts 237 bird species, 15 mammal species, the protected star tortoise, and other Schedule 1 animals. A joint study by UoH and WWF India identified over 455 species of flora and fauna. Students argue the land “in principle” belongs to the university and is vital for expanding enrollment from 5,000 to 25,000 students annually.
The government counters that revenue records never classified the land as “forest land.” It was originally allocated by the undivided Andhra Pradesh government in 1974 for the university. The Revanth Reddy administration also notes that in 2003, 534 acres were transferred to a private sports company, only to be reclaimed in 2006 after the deal stalled, leading to the 2024 Supreme Court victory.
BJP MLA Aleti Maheshwar Reddy accused the Chief Minister of flip-flopping. “As an opposition leader, Revanth opposed selling government land. Now as CM, he’s doing it without delivering on promises,” he told The Indian Express. “Owning the land doesn’t mean they should sell it. We’ll fight this alongside BRS—both parties are cut from the same cloth,” he added.
