The Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana is facing strong opposition from University of Hyderabad (UoH) students over its decision to clear 400 acres of land near the campus for development. The move has sparked political turmoil, with both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the BJP accusing the government of disregarding environmental concerns and due process.

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar defended the government’s actions, calling the protests a “political game” and emphasizing that the state had won the legal battle over the land in the Supreme Court in May 2024. He insisted that the area was not officially designated as forest land and had merely retained greenery due to years of disuse. While the government maintains there is no legal stay on the development, critics argue that the land’s ecological significance warrants protection.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy fueled tensions further by branding the protests “politically motivated” and accusing the BRS of obstructing progress. The controversy escalated after 53 students were detained while trying to prevent heavy machinery from clearing the land. Environmentalists and university officials highlight that the disputed land is home to over 455 species of flora and fauna, including protected wildlife.

While the Telangana government insists that the land has been earmarked for development since 1974, the opposition argues that selling public land contradicts the Congress party’s earlier stance. With the Telangana High Court set to hear the case on April 7, the political and environmental debate surrounding the project continues to intensify.