The All India Students' Youth Organisation (AISYO) vehemently condemns the Telangana Congress government's decision to auction 400 acres of land at the University of Hyderabad (HCU), a move that threatens to destroy vital green spaces and natural habitats within the campus. This decision represents not only an ecological catastrophe but also a direct assault on the rights of students and the academic community to a safe and healthy environment. By prioritizing short-term profits over the well-being of students and the environment, the government is undermining the long-term sustainability of the university and its ecosystem. The university, which has served as an educational and ecological sanctuary, will face irreversible damage if this land is auctioned off for commercial use.
The government’s approach raises serious questions about its priorities. If the state truly seeks to increase its revenue, is selling off a crucial educational institution's land the only solution? The government has had over two decades to explore sustainable alternatives, yet it continues to rely on land sales rather than developing responsible, ecologically sound strategies for revenue generation. Under both Chief Ministers KCR and Revanth Reddy, we have witnessed a continued pattern of prioritizing short-term financial gain over the long-term welfare of the people of Telangana. The decision to auction public land for immediate profit sets a dangerous precedent that will have lasting consequences for the region's ecological and educational integrity.
The destruction of HCU’s green spaces will cause an irreplaceable loss in biodiversity. The university’s campus is home to over 700 species of plants, 10 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and more than 200 species of birds. The government’s decision to auction the land threatens to obliterate this thriving ecosystem, which contributes significantly to the region’s environmental balance. Furthermore, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s claims that the land is devoid of wildlife are utterly false, as confirmed by the HCU community. The campus land hosts a vibrant and thriving ecosystem, and its destruction will have far-reaching ecological repercussions, not just for the university but for the surrounding environment as well.
In response to the government’s actions, students across Telangana have united in protest, led by various organizations, against this environmental and educational injustice. The protests were ignited by the police’s violent crackdown on peaceful students and the government's disregard for their concerns. AISYO stands in full solidarity with the students, condemning police brutality, wrongful arrests, and attempts to suppress dissent. The decision to auction HCU’s land is not only an environmental disaster but also an attack on the future of students and democratic rights. The government must reverse its decision and recognize these lands as vital to the university’s legacy and the region's ecological health. AISYO remains committed to resisting these policies and will continue organizing protests until the government stops its assault on public land and education.
AISYO Demands:
- The immediate halt to the auctioning and deforestation of HCU’s 400 acres.
- The rollback of the government’s decision to sell HCU’s land and a commitment to preserving it for educational and ecological purposes.
- The immediate release of all students and activists detained during protests, with all charges against them being dropped.
A.Suresh,
Convenor,
All India Convening Committee,
All india Students and Youth Organisation (AISYO)
Date: 01-04-2025,
Vijayawada
