Telangana Police Lathi-Charges Protesting Students, Arrests Journalist
Protests Erupt Over Auction of Ecologically Crucial Land
April 1, 2025
The Congress party-led Telangana government is facing backlash after police used force against protesting students at the University of Hyderabad and detained a journalist covering the demonstrations. The protests erupted over the state government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which students and activists claim is vital for biodiversity and ecological balance.
In the ongoing dispute over the land’s ownership, the Telangana government asserts its legal claim, while students and environmentalists call for its preservation as a “lung space” for the region.
On March 30, the government deployed heavy machinery to clear the land, provoking widespread protests on the university campus, according to Telangana Today. Students say the area is home to lakes, wildlife and unique rock formations, and its destruction would irreparably harm the local biodiversity.
However, the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) maintains that the land does not include any lakes or ecologically sensitive areas and that the development plan incorporates measures for sustainable growth.
Tensions escalated on March 31 when police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the students, who had gathered in large numbers to protest the clearing of the land. Videos and images from the scene, widely circulated on social media, show students being dragged and beaten by police. The heavy-handed response from authorities has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists, activists and political leaders.
According to a statement by TGIIC, a survey conducted in July 2024, with the consent of university officials, confirmed the land boundaries. The government contends that the project will not impact the ecosystem, as the development plan includes provisions for preserving rock formations and creating green spaces.
“Lung space” refers to areas within urban or semi-urban settings that are preserved as green, open spaces to enhance environmental health and quality of life. These spaces, such as forests, parks, or undeveloped natural land, help maintain ecological balance by improving air quality, reducing pollution and providing habitats for wildlife. They act as the “lungs” of a city by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Further, lung spaces offer recreational opportunities and promote mental well-being for residents, making them essential for sustainable urban development.
Student protesters argue that the government’s move is motivated by profit rather than public interest. The auctioning of the land has been linked to plans for industrial and IT infrastructure development.
Reports indicate that several students were detained during the protests, and at least one journalist was arrested while documenting the events. The journalist was identified as Sumit, was covering the arrest of students, according to Hindustan Times.
Interestingly, Congress party’s Rahul Gandhi, and opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the central government to withdraw the tenders issued for offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, citing risks to marine life, as reported by The Times of India. Criticising the central government’s decision to allow offshore mining, Gandhi said that coastal communities have been opposing the tender process, which was carried out without adequate environmental assessment.
