UoH JAC urges Rahul Gandhi to halt auction.
On March 3, the Telangana government announced its decision to auction land in Kancha Gachibowli, which reportedly belongs to the University of Hyderabad (UoH). This move has sparked strong opposition from the UoH Joint Action Committee (JAC), which has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to intervene and halt the auction. The JAC claims that the land is crucial for the university’s expansion and academic activities. Students, faculty, and alumni have expressed concerns over the potential loss of university property, calling for the government to reconsider its decision. Protests and legal action are being considered to safeguard the institution’s interests.
Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Sunday, March 23, wrote an open letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding an immediate halt to the auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. The committee expressed grave concerns over the Telangana government’s decision and urged intervention to safeguard university property.
The JAC, comprising the UoH Students’ Union, Teachers’ Association, Non-Teaching Association, and Workers’ Union, called for a resolution to protect the university’s land. It also demanded that the state government officially mutate the original 2,300 acres of land in UoH’s name, ensuring that it remains dedicated to educational and research purposes.
In the letter, the JAC apprised Rahul Gandhi of the Telangana government’s plan to auction the 400-acre land, which is a part of UoH, in an attempt to generate revenue. The committee emphasized that this move would not only harm the university’s long-term expansion plans but also have serious environmental repercussions.
Concerns Over Environmental Impact
One of the key issues raised by the JAC was the impact of the land sale on biodiversity. The committee pointed out that the university is home to rich flora and fauna, with large patches of forest cover that help maintain ecological balance. Cutting down trees and clearing this land for commercial use would disrupt the natural ecosystem and contribute to rising temperatures in Hyderabad, especially during peak summer months.
Residents and environmental activists have also voiced their concerns about the auction. The green cover in Kancha Gachibowli plays a vital role in maintaining air quality and serves as a buffer against urban heat. Many locals have joined protests and filed petitions urging the government to reconsider its decision. Activists argue that such large-scale land conversions for commercial purposes will have long-term adverse effects on Hyderabad’s environmental health.
Historical Significance of the Land
Providing historical context, the JAC reminded Rahul Gandhi that during the peak of the Telangana movement, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Hyderabad multiple times. Her negotiations with Andhra Pradesh leaders led to the formulation of a six-point plan, which was instrumental in addressing the concerns of the Telangana region.
One of the major components of this six-point formula was the establishment of the University of Hyderabad, aimed at promoting higher education in the backward Telangana region. The JAC reiterated that the state government at the time had allocated 2,300 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli to facilitate this vision. The current decision by the Telangana State government to auction 400 acres of this land is a blatant disregard for historical events and a betrayal of Indira Gandhi’s intentions,” the JAC stated in its letter.
Widespread Protests and Public Outrage
The Telangana government’s announcement on March 3 regarding the auction of the land triggered strong reactions from students, faculty, and local communities. On March 13, a large group of students staged a protest against the auction, raising slogans and accusing the government of misgovernance and land misappropriation. Protesters expressed anger over what they termed as “land theft” by the state, arguing that selling university property for commercial purposes is a severe violation of public trust.
The Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) has been assigned the responsibility of designing a master layout for the land, but students and activists insist that the land should remain under the university’s jurisdiction. They argue that once the land is auctioned and converted into commercial spaces, the university will lose crucial opportunities for future academic expansion.
Beyond the student protests, people across Hyderabad have also raised concerns over the sale of this lush green land. The region’s residents have pointed out that the area serves as a natural cooling zone, reducing extreme temperatures. Several citizen groups have filed petitions against the government’s decision, urging authorities to explore alternative revenue-generation methods that do not involve selling off public university land.
Growing Political Pressure
The JAC’s appeal to Rahul Gandhi is seen as an attempt to bring national attention to the issue and put pressure on the Telangana government. Congress leaders in the state have so far remained largely silent on the matter, but the JAC hopes that intervention from senior party leadership will force a reconsideration of the auction plans.
Political observers believe that this controversy could become a key issue in Telangana’s political landscape. The ruling government’s decision has sparked criticism not only from students and activists but also from opposition parties, who view it as an attack on public education and environmental sustainability.
What’s Next?
With mounting protests, legal petitions, and growing public pressure, the fate of the Kancha Gachibowli land remains uncertain. The JAC has vowed to continue its fight until the Telangana government withdraws its decision. Students and activists are planning further demonstrations, while legal experts are exploring possible avenues to challenge the auction in court.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on how the state government responds to the growing opposition. Whether Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership step in to support the cause remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this issue has struck a chord with Hyderabad’s student community and environmental activists, who are determined to protect the university’s land and legacy.