The protests were in response to the Telangana government's recently proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli village in Rangareddy district through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).
Published Mar 14, 2025 | 12:27 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 14, 2025 | 12:27 PM
Protests erupt at UoH against auction of 400 acres
Synopsis: Students at the University of Hyderabad protested against the Telangana government’s plan to auction 400 acres of university land for development. Nihad Sulaiman, student union general secretary, expressed concerns about the loss of green space, environmental impact, and potential future encroachments. The government maintains the land belongs to the state, assuring the preservation of key areas, including Mushroom Rock, and moving forward with the auction.
At about 10 AM on a working Thursday (13 March), the students of the University of Hyderabad all gathered on campus. Many students and professors stopped by between classes to show solidarity with their fellow protestors.
Determined and with banners in hand, the youngsters remained steadfast in their purpose, undeterred by the arrival of the police. They knew what they wanted and were resolute in their mission.
The protests were in response to the Telangana government’s recently proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli village in Rangareddy district through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).
However, it raised questions as to what was more important, funds for governance or a critical green space.
Nihad Sulaiman, the general secretary of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) Student’s Union, has raised concerns over the ongoing land auction issue on campus. Hailing from Kasargod, Kerala, Nihad is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Political Science. He has been at the forefront of student protests against the TGIIC, which has begun auctioning university land to private bidders.
“When the university was established, it was meant to bridge backwardness in the Telangana region. Over the years, portions of its land were allocated to institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gachibowli Stadium, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Later, encroachments became a recurring issue, leading to several protests. However, this is the first time it is happening at such a scale,” Nihad explained.
He pointed out that although a legal battle determined that the land belonged to the state rather than the university, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed ensuring it would be used solely for educational purposes. “It is very concerning that the TGIIC is now taking over and auctioning the land to private entities,” he said.
Nihad further highlighted that the university is currently expanding, making the land acquisition even more problematic. “Enrollment is increasing every year, so, surprisingly, they want to take land away from us,” he stated. Emphasizing the student union’s commitment to the cause, he added, “We will not give up. We will coordinate with teachers, students, non-teaching staff, and activists to take the fight forward.”
Since 8 March, the government has been preparing to auction off 400 acres of university land. Nihad informed that since 10 a.m., police have been deployed across the campus to monitor the nearly 500 protestors gathered in opposition to the move.
UoH protests
Nihad Sulaiman also accused authorities of misleading the public by presenting images of barren land to justify the auction. “In reality, this is a green cover, home to numerous plant and animal species. That is what is being razed,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the demarcated land includes the Mushroom Rock, a recognized heritage site.
Highlighting the environmental impact, Nihad emphasized that this issue goes beyond the university. “Deforestation is already taking a toll on the area. Removing this green cover will further harm the lakes and disrupt the ecosystem,” he warned.
He also raised concerns about the university’s future, fearing that the land auction could set a dangerous precedent. “If they can auction 400 acres of land on the campus overnight, we worry that we may be ousted next,” he said.
Nihad outlined two key demands. First, an immediate halt to the auction. Second, granting UoH legal rights over its land to prevent future encroachments. The student union, along with faculty and activists, continues to push for these demands, determined to protect both the institution and its environment.
Government’s press release
Meanwhile, the Government of Telangana issued a press release addressing the issue. It stated that it went through with the land survey in the presence of UoH officials with their consent. It further asserted its ownership of the land listing the aforementioned legal battles.
The government further assured the people that Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake were not a part of the land for auction, clarifying misconceptions. It further explained that the government was formulating an Environment Management Plan, and would ensure the preservation of the Mushroom Rock.
It held that this wasn’t the first auction of its nature and reiterated its commitment towards developing Hyderabad with world-class IT infrastructure. The auction is set for 15 March.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
