Hyderabad university Protest: Students & faculty oppose land auction

Hyderabad University students and faculty are protesting the Telangana government's plan to auction approximately 400 acres of land adjacent to the university in Kancha Gachibowli for development into an IT park. The demonstrators argue that this land serves as a vital green space and its development would lead to significant environmental degradation. Tensions escalated when police intervened to prevent the protesters from accessing the disputed area. Reports indicate that law enforcement resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowd, leading to detentions of several students and faculty members. The detained individuals were released later. ​

The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union has called for an indefinite boycott of classes starting April 1, demanding the removal of police personnel and construction equipment from the campus vicinity. Faculty members have joined the protests, marching in solidarity with the students. ​

The Telangana government maintains that the land belongs to the state and plans to proceed with its development. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, both UoH alumni, asserted that not an inch of the university's land has been taken. ​ As the protests continue, the situation remains fluid, with students and faculty committed to opposing the land auction and advocating for the preservation of the university's environment.

In this live blog, we will bring you the latest updates from the Hyderabad University protests. Students and faculty are standing firm against the land auction, demanding the government revoke its decision.

Apr 04, 2025 10:25 IST
KTR applauds UoH students as SC halts tree felling in Gachibowli
BRS leader K T Rama Rao praised University of Hyderabad students after the Supreme Court stayed tree felling in Kancha Gachibowli, calling it a “victory” for their sustained protest. The court took suo moto notice of the deforestation and warned Telangana’s Chief Secretary of action if its orders are ignored. It banned all activity at the site except for tree protection and demanded answers about urgency, permits, and environmental impact assessment.  



Apr 04, 2025 10:17 IST
Osmania University students protest land auction, back UoH
Osmania University student groups staged a protest on Thursday against the Telangana government’s plan to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. They demanded the land be given to the University of Hyderabad and called for protection of its biodiversity. Protesters burned an effigy of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the OU NCC gate. They also opposed the March 13 circular banning campus protests and warned they would march to the CM’s residence if their demands were ignored. Members of AISF and SFI led the protest.



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Apr 04, 2025 10:16 IST
Telangana halts tree felling in Kancha Gachibowli after Supreme Court order
The Telangana government paused deforestation in Kancha Gachibowli near the University of Hyderabad after the Supreme Court ordered a stay on tree-felling and sought details on clearances. In response, the state formed a ministerial committee to hold talks with students, civil society, and university officials. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other leaders said the government would follow the court’s orders and avoid harsh action against students. Protests began after authorities started clearing trees for a planned land auction, which the government claims is legal. Students ended their hunger strike but vowed to continue opposing the auction.



Apr 03, 2025 14:54 IST
Hyderabad University protest: petitioners cite environmental concerns
Retired scientist K. Babu Rao and Vata Foundation have filed PILs, arguing that the land is a dense forest area that should not be cleared for IT infrastructure. Senior advocates L. Ravi Chander and S. Niranjan Reddy stated that the plan violates the Forest Conservation Act, the Walta Act, and a Supreme Court ruling mandating expert panels to identify and protect deemed forests. They stressed that the land is a crucial green lung for the Financial District.



Apr 03, 2025 14:53 IST
Protests intensify over Kancha Gachibowli land auction
Hyderabad Central University remained tense as student protests continued against the planned auction of 400 acres of land near the campus. ABVP activists attempted to enter the campus but were stopped and arrested by police. Clashes erupted as protesters tried to enter through another gate. Students and environmental activists accused the government of destroying forested land for private development. Police also detained Left-affiliated student groups marching toward the State Secretariat. The Telangana High Court ordered a halt to tree felling, but activists claimed bulldozers were still clearing the land



Apr 03, 2025 12:24 IST
BRS promises to turn Kancha Gachibowli land Into Eco park
BRS leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) promised to reclaim the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land and convert it into an eco park if the party returns to power. He accused the Congress government of treating the land as real estate and vowed to develop it like Central Park in New York. His statement comes amid ongoing protests by University of Hyderabad students against the state’s plan to auction the land. The Telangana High Court has halted tree felling after petitioners urged the court to declare the area a national park. Protesters argue that the land supports diverse wildlife and must be preserved.



Apr 03, 2025 12:09 IST
Satellite images reveal rapid deforestation at Kancha Gachibowli
Satellite images from March 28 to April 2 show large-scale deforestation at Kancha Gachibowli, allegedly carried out over the Ugadi-Ramzan holiday weekend to avoid public attention. Activists and residents have condemned the clearance, calling it a violation of environmental norms. The Telangana High Court has ordered a temporary halt to tree cutting, while Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has sought a report on the matter. Telangana BJP MPs have also urged intervention, claiming the 400-acre land is a biodiversity and heritage site.
Between 28/03/25 to 02/04/25.. just 3 - 4 days… lives of peaceful living beings has been turned upside down.. in its desperation.. while the court believed otherwise.. the Govt deploys dozens of heavy machinery to flatten a beautiful deemed forest land in #KanchaGachibowli..… pic.twitter.com/NR8Bf1Typj
— Vata Foundation (@vata_foundation) April 2, 2025



Apr 03, 2025 11:48 IST
SC orders Telangana HC registrar to submit interim report on tree felling
On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed the registrar (judicial) of the Telangana High Court to visit the Kancha Gachibowli forest site and submit an interim report by 3:30 PM. The site, adjacent to the University of Hyderabad, is at the center of a dispute over proposed tree felling on a 400-acre land parcel. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih issued the directive after the matter was mentioned before them. The court also ordered the registrar (judicial) of the Supreme Court to immediately communicate the order to the Telangana High Court registrar for compliance.
 



Apr 03, 2025 11:39 IST
Telangana govt defends land ownership near University of Hyderabad
The Telangana government has asserted its legal ownership of the Kancha Gachibowli land, citing a Supreme Court ruling in May 2024. The land was originally allotted in 2004 to IMG Academies India for a sports project, but after the company failed to develop it, the government reclaimed it in 2006. A legal dispute followed, but both the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the government. In June 2024, the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) received official rights to develop an IT park on the land. A joint survey with Hyderabad University in July confirmed that the disputed area does not belong to the university. The government dismissed environmental concerns, stating that the land is not classified as forest and that key natural features like Mushroom Rock will be preserved. It also accused political and real estate groups of misleading students and reaffirmed that all legal procedures were followed.



Apr 03, 2025 11:35 IST
Supreme court stops tree cutting near University of Hyderabad
The Supreme Court has ordered the Telangana chief secretary to stop the felling of trees at Kancha Gachibowli until further notice. It also directed the registrar (judicial) of the Telangana High Court to visit the site and submit an interim report by 3:30 pm on Thursday. Students at the University of Hyderabad have been protesting against the state government’s plan to develop the 400-acre land near the university. The Telangana High Court had earlier ordered the state government to halt all work on the land until April 3.



Apr 03, 2025 11:33 IST
Protests at University of Hyderabad over Kancha Gachibowli land issue intensify
The protests at the University of Hyderabad over the Kancha Gachibowli land issue continued for the fourth day, with students and teachers demanding action. The Teachers Association and the Joint Action Committee led the demonstrations, calling for an indefinite protest. Hundreds of students and faculty gathered at the Ambedkar Auditorium and staged a rally inside the campus, condemning the government's move to clear 400 acres of green land. Protesters demanded the removal of police forces, transparency in land-related documents, and assurance that the land remains with the university. Police used lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries and scuffles at the main gate and East Campus. Students criticized the use of force and accused the university of mishandling the issue. Many reported a curfew-like situation, with restricted movement and heavy surveillance. NSUI-HCU general secretary Prabhakar Singh said the administration allowed police entry and failed to address concerns earlier. Protesters also demanded official registration of the land under the university’s name, fearing that the issue was being turned into a land grab.



Apr 02, 2025 18:16 IST
How cutting 400 acres of forest will impact Hyderabad
The clearance of 400 acres of forest land in Kancha Gachibowli threatens Hyderabad’s environment and public health. The area, home to rare flora and fauna, acts as a natural air purifier, reducing pollution and maintaining ecological balance. Without this green cover, rising temperatures, worsening air quality, and increased flooding risks could make the city less livable. Experts warn that destroying this forest will disrupt local biodiversity, affect groundwater levels, and contribute to extreme heat waves. As deforestation continues, Hyderabad faces an uncertain environmental future.



Apr 02, 2025 17:50 IST
Police crackdown on HCU students sparks outrage
As Telangana CM Revanth Reddy visits Delhi, police in Hyderabad launched a forceful crackdown on University of Hyderabad students protesting against land clearance. Reports of lathi charges, detentions of teachers, and a media blockade have emerged, with police restricting access to the campus. Students accuse the government of silencing peaceful protests, turning the university into a conflict zone. Opposition parties and activists have condemned the action, demanding accountability and justice.



Apr 02, 2025 17:48 IST
KTR slams Telangana govt over ‘Mindless’ land clearance
BRS leader K T Rama Rao criticized the Telangana government for clearing 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, calling it a “mindless” move that would strip Hyderabad of a crucial green space. He questioned why Congress was using bulldozers to destroy the area when vast land reserves exist elsewhere. He pointed out that Gachibowli and surrounding areas had already become concrete jungles and supported students demanding an environmental impact assessment before any further action.
First - you bulldozed the homes of many poor people in the name of environmental protection!

Next, you went after the tribal hamlets in the name of development. Barren lands and even lizards won’t lay eggs, you had said

Now you come after homes of animals and commit mass… pic.twitter.com/Us5Av7ta2Y
— KTR (@KTRBRS) April 1, 2025



Apr 02, 2025 17:45 IST
Students begin indefinite protest as opposition slams Telangana govt
Hyderabad University students have launched an indefinite protest against the Telangana government's land clearance, boycotting classes from April 2. The University of Hyderabad Students Union (UoHSU) accused the administration of betraying students and condemned police action against protesters. On March 30, police arrested 53 students and restricted access to parts of the campus. Protesters demand the removal of police and earthmoving equipment, along with a written assurance that the disputed 400 acres will be registered under the university’s name.



Apr 02, 2025 17:29 IST
Hyderabad University land row: Legal battle and political clash intensify
The Telangana High Court is set to hear petitions on the Hyderabad University land dispute, where 400 acres of forest land are being cleared for an IT park. Students and environmentalists argue the land is ecologically vital, while the Telangana government cites a Supreme Court ruling confirming its ownership. Meanwhile, the Congress and BRS continue to clash, with BRS calling it "green murder" and Congress defending the move as legally valid. Protests have led to student arrests and police action.



Apr 02, 2025 17:24 IST
Telangana congress defends land auction, calls out BRS and BJP
The Telangana Congress has responded to criticism from BRS and BJP over the Hyderabad Central University land issue. In a social media post, the party pointed to a Supreme Court verdict (SLP No. 9265 of 2024) confirming the land belongs to the government. Congress also highlighted that BRS acknowledged this in an affidavit (WP 816 of 2021) and accused BJP of privatizing public assets. The party urged the opposition to stop misleading the public for political gain.
It’s Ironic how BRS and BJP criticize the Congress over the #HyderabadCentralUniversity land when the facts are clear:
✅ ( Supremecourt SC verdict (SLP No. 9265 of 2024) confirms it’s govt land.
✅ BRS admitted this in an affidavit (WP 816 of 2021).
✅ Meanwhile, BJP is busy… pic.twitter.com/iRjx83zPWO
— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) April 2, 2025



Apr 02, 2025 17:22 IST
Why are Hyderabad University students protesting land auction?
Students at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) are protesting against the Telangana government's decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli for IT development. They argue that the land is ecologically significant, home to diverse flora and fauna, and essential for environmental balance. Protesters are demanding transparency in land ownership records, an end to deforestation, and official recognition of the land as part of the university. The movement has gained national attention, with social media support from celebrities and activists.



Apr 02, 2025 17:21 IST
Rashmika Mandanna, Raveena Tandon condemn Gachibowli deforestation
Actresses Rashmika Mandanna and Raveena Tandon have joined the growing social media outcry against the clearance of 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli. Rashmika shared a post criticizing the Telangana government for using force against protesting Hyderabad University students, calling it “heartbreaking” and “not right.” Raveena Tandon also voiced her concern, amplifying the call to protect the green space. Their reactions add momentum to the online campaign against deforestation in Hyderabad.



Apr 02, 2025 17:20 IST
Dia Mirza backs Hyderabad University students protesting land auction
Actress Dia Mirza has voiced support for Hyderabad University students protesting the clearance of 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forest. Calling for sustainability, she urged authorities to prioritize biodiversity over development. "Forests, not IT parks, offer young people a chance at a sustainable tomorrow," she wrote, emphasizing that destroying green spaces in the name of progress is unacceptable. Her statement adds to the growing wave of social media activism demanding a halt to deforestation.



Apr 02, 2025 17:11 IST
Social media erupts over Kancha Gachibowli over land auction
Social media is buzzing with outrage as Hyderabad University students protest the clearing of 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forest. Hashtags like #SaveHCUBioDiversity and #OxygenNotAuction are trending, with thousands sharing calls to action. Celebrities, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, have joined the movement, urging authorities to stop the land auction. Digital activism has turned into on-ground resistance, with students facing police action while continuing their fight to protect the region’s biodiversity.



Apr 02, 2025 17:08 IST
BRS leader Kavitha blames Congress for Hyderabad University land auction
BRS leader K Kavitha accused the Congress government of trying to sell 400 acres of Hyderabad University land for profit. She said, "Hyderabad Central University lands were given to a private player during Chandrababu Naidu's time in the united Andhra Pradesh. Later, it was cancelled, and the private party went to court and from then this issue has been in the court. After Telangana's formation, the BRS government has fought very hard, we infact fenced the whole 400 acres, we fought for it and now the judgment has come in. Now, Congress is in power and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is trying to take these 400 acres and sell these properties to make some money."



Apr 02, 2025 17:06 IST
Telangana HC hears PILs on Kancha Gachibowli land clearing
The Telangana High Court has begun hearing two PILs challenging the clearance of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. Petitioners demand legal protection for the land near the University of Hyderabad (Survey No. 25).
Key demands of protesting students
Students demand:
• Transparency in land-related documents

• Release of executive committee meeting minutes

• Written assurance that the university will secure ownership of the land



Apr 02, 2025 17:04 IST
Students raise slogans against police
Protesters chant “Police go back,” “Ladenge Jeetenge,” and “Awaaz Do Hum Ek Hain” as they attempt to move past the barricades. The situation remains tense as students demand an immediate halt to land clearing.  As students push forward, police respond with a lathi charge. Protesters scatter but regroup, vowing to continue their demonstration. Some students have reportedly been detained.



Apr 02, 2025 17:04 IST
Police use lathi charge on Hyderabad University protesters
Students and faculty of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) continue their protest against the Telangana government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Gachibowli. A heavy police presence has been deployed, with barricades set up near the east campus to block protesters from reaching the forest area being cleared.



Apr 02, 2025 17:03 IST
Indefinite Class Boycott
Students at the University of Hyderabad began an indefinite class boycott to protest the Telangana government’s plan to auction 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli for an IT park. They oppose deforestation and demand the removal of police and earth-moving machines from the site. Police detained several students, releasing most but jailing two. Meanwhile, BJP MPs urged the Centre to stop the auction.