The RSYC fiercely denounces the Telangana police's savage crackdown and unlawful detention of students. We vehemently condemn the state government led by the Indian National Congress for its attempt to capture 400 acres of the university's land, falsely claiming its ownership. This also shows that when it comes to implementing policy in favour of big capital, not only the Fascists but all bourgeois parties serve the same masters in our democracy. This attempt is well connected with the long series of attacks directed toward public universities assisting the implementation of neoliberal policies, privatisation and the destruction of the public-funded education system.
The government, fully aware that Saturday through Tuesday were public holidays, chose the cover of darkness to carry out the large- scale deforestation of acres of forest in the university. The Kancha Gachibowli area harbors an extraordinary diversity of life, serving as a sanctuary for over 455 species of flora and fauna, including 237 bird species. This ecosystem is also home to rare and vital wildlife such as the Indian Star Tortoise, Spotted Deer, Indian Rock Python, and Monitor Lizards. Moreover, the region encompasses Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake, which are crucial water sources and nesting grounds for countless bird species. These forests play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance by preserving biodiversity, moderating temperature extremes, and improving air and water quality.
Functioning as Hyderabad's vital "green lung," they absorb pollutants, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and replenish groundwater levels, which are indispensable for the city's water security. Environmental scientists have issued grave warnings that deforestation in this area will exacerbate rising temperatures, deteriorate air quality, hinder rainfall absorption, and provoke heightened human-wildlife conflicts as displaced animals encroach upon urban settlements. The loss of this forest will have catastrophic consequences for both the environment and the inhabitants of Hyderabad.
The Telangana Government stressed it is not forest land, not an inch belongs to the University, Government also refers to the land survey conducted on July 19, 2024, with the consent of the University of Hyderabad Registrar regarding the demarcation of this land however the HCU Registrar firmly denies any survey conducted in July 2024 by revenue authorities to demarcate 400 acres of land. The land belongs to the University, and no demarcation or formal agreement has taken place, nor has the University been informed. The University rejects recent claims by TGIIC and emphasises that any transfer or alienation of land must comply with Statute 13, requiring the concurrence of its Executive Council. It urges the State Government to conserve the area's environment and biodiversity while addressing stakeholder concerns. The University has been requesting the state government for a long time to allocate the land to the university.
In an official statement, they appealed to the government not only to allocate the land but also to protect the environment and biodiversity of the area. However, the university administration itself does not seem to be opposing the issue. Without the permission of the university registrar and administration, how is it possible that police entered the campus? Clearly university is also an accomplice in this land grab.
We also want to highlight that the promises by TGIIC to preserve mushroom rocks and other natural rock formations as green spaces within the project layout and the comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to ensure sustainable development. are shallow promises, such projects will open further doors for the destruction of this forest and land grab in other campuses like JNU, BHU as well.
We seek all environmentalists, progressive students and people of Hyderabad to rise in resistance against this corporate loot of urban forest land.
Our Demands
- Cancel the proposed auction of forest land of Kancha Gachibowli.
- Legally allot the land originally meant for the university back to it.
- Release all detained students, and take all cases filed against students back.
REVOLUTIONARY STUDENTS YOUTH CAMPAIGN
AIPSF, AIRSO @airsocenter, BSYF, COLLECTIVE @collectivedelhi, DYSA, ISU @isuorg, NBS, PaChhas @pachhasofficial, PDSF @pdsf_insta, PDSO @pdso_ap,PDSU, PDYF, PSYA @psya.ind
