BRS Rages Against Telangana Govt for Bulldozing HCU Land

Hyderabad (Telangana), India — On Wednesday, the opposition vehemently criticized the Telangana administration over its stance on clearing land which involved cutting down trees in the contested region near Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

At X, BRS Working President and MLA Kalvakuntla Taraka (KT) Rama Rao criticized the administration over the contentious 400-acre land dispute involving HCU.

KTR stated, "With as much as 14,000 acres of land easily accessible in 'Future City' for the government to develop IT parks and foster other economic activities, why focus on damaging valuable natural areas and destroying the current city at the expense of future generations?"

The BRS leader and newly elected MLC Dasoju Sravan, speaking on X, also condemned the actions taken by the Telangana police against the protesting students at Hyderabad Central University.

He penned, “Unleashing Tyranny: The Chief Minister of Telangana directs a harsh suppression against the peaceful demonstrators at #HCU! @TelanganaCMO @RahulGandhi. I strongly denounce the vicious baton charges on HCU’s students, academics, and educators who are rallying to safeguard the university’s biodiversity reserve and wildlife. Acting under the command of dictatorial Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the police in Telangana resorted to brutality facilitating an illicit property acquisition scheme! … This represents a blatant attack on education, nature, as well as defenseless creatures, plants, and ecosystems. Can anyone save the HCU students and their biodiverse sanctuary from this oppressive regime?”

On Tuesday, the students demonstrated against cutting down the forest on the university grounds and the sale of 400 acres of land.

Previously, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy accused the Congress-led government in Telangana of intending to sell 400 acres of forested land associated with Hyderabad University (HCU) to property developers, which he believes could disrupt the local ecology.

Addressing the press, G Kishan Reddy stated, “The Congress-led administration aims to sell off the land to property developers, potentially disrupting the local environment. Trees are being felled during nighttime operations. While Rahul Gandhi calls for an end to mining activities in Kerala and delivers significant addresses in New Delhi, he ought to consider the actions of his own government in Telangana. It is precisely because of these issues that students from Hyderabad University have taken up protests, yet the state government has been employing force against them, which is inappropriate. Consequently, I sent a missive to the Chief Minister urging him to halt both the auctions and deforestation.”

G Kishan Reddy urged for an urgent stop to the sale of the 400-acre plot belonging to Hyderabad University, highlighting worries about environmental impact and possible disruption to indigenous fauna. Additionally, he requested ceasing deforestation activities, which have sparked demonstrations among students.

I sent a letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of the Congress-led government asking them to halt this action. Both the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi must ensure that 400 acres are preserved. Additionally, all machinery used for cutting trees needs to be taken away," stated the Union minister to ANI.

"Forest Department, Central University, everyone has developed this land for a long time. But today, the Congress-led Telangana government wants to auction it off and give it to a real estate company. Due to this, there will be a lot of concrete jungle. Eco-sensitivity will be damaged and environmental problems will arise, we don't know where birds, animals will go," he added.

Minister Reddy alleged that the administration is removing trees during late hours, pointing out the hypocrisy of the Congress government since their leader, Rahul Gandhi, discusses the environmental harm caused by mining in Kerala. (ANI)