Hyderabad, April 1, 2025 – Tensions have escalated at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), also known as Hyderabad Central University (HCU), as students initiated an indefinite protest and class boycott on Tuesday, demanding clarity and action from the Telangana state government regarding a contentious land issue. The demonstration centers on the proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the university campus, which students and environmentalists argue is vital to the region’s biodiversity and the university’s heritage.
The protests, led by the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU), intensified after reports surfaced of earth-moving machinery, including JCBs, entering the eastern side of the campus on March 30, accompanied by a heavy police presence. Students allege that the state government, under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, plans to auction the land for commercial development, including an IT park, despite assurances from Telangana Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu that the government would not encroach on university property.
“We demand the immediate removal of police and machinery from our campus,” said a UoHSU representative in a statement. “The government must provide a written guarantee that this land belongs to the university and make all related documents public.” The students’ union, alongside a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising faculty, staff, and environmental groups, has condemned the police’s response to earlier peaceful protests, which resulted in the detention of several students on March 30.
The disputed 400-acre parcel, part of the Kancha Gachibowli forest area, is home to diverse wildlife, including 237 bird species, the Indian Star Tortoise, and Spotted Deer, according to environmentalists. Critics of the auction argue that its development would irreversibly damage Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests. “This is not just about the university; it’s about preserving our city’s ecological balance,” said a member of Climate Front Hyderabad, a group supporting the protests.
The state government has maintained that the land in question does not belong to the university, with Chief Minister Reddy recently claiming that the protests are politically motivated. “There are no tigers or deer in that area, but some cunning ‘foxes’ are trying to obstruct development,” he remarked last week. Minister Sridhar Babu echoed this sentiment on March 24, assuring the state assembly that the government would not touch university land, including two lakes and rock formations like the iconic Mushroom Rock. However, students and faculty remain unconvinced, pointing to a lack of transparency and conflicting statements.
The university administration has also faced scrutiny. On March 31, HCU issued a statement denying claims of a land demarcation survey in July 2024 and urging the government to conserve the environment. Yet, Registrar Devesh Nigam has previously stated that the 400 acres are not officially registered under the university, a claim contested by the JAC, which cites historical allotments to HCU that were later reduced for other projects.
Political parties have weighed in, amplifying the issue. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by K.T. Rama Rao, has pledged support to the students, urging them to expand their agitation nationally. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including BJYM State President Sevelly Mahender, staged a protest on March 18, accusing the Congress-led government of prioritizing commercial interests over education. The situation grew volatile on March 31 when BJP MLAs attempting to visit the site were stopped by police, further heightening tensions.
As of April 1, the university’s gates remain locked by protesters, with police outposts established on campus—a move students decry as an infringement on their academic space. The ongoing standoff has drawn national attention, with social media campaigns like #SaveHCUBioDiversity trending as students vow to continue their fight until the auction is withdrawn and the land is secured for educational and environmental purposes.
The Telangana government has yet to respond to the latest developments, leaving the future of the 400 acres—and the university’s relationship with the state—in limbo. For now, Hyderabad Central University remains a battleground for education, ecology, and governance, with its students at the forefront of a movement that could shape the city’s future.
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