The issue intensified on 30 March with student detentions during protests. Despite the backlash, ministers assured the preservation of biodiversity and reaffirmed the government's commitment to transferring land titles for academic use.
Published Apr 01, 2025 | 10:30 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 01, 2025 | 10:30 PM
'Opposition exploiting HCU students, blocking development,': Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu
Synopsis: Telangana ministers Bhatti Mallu, Sridhar Babu, and Ponguletti Srinivas Reddy defended the state’s decision to auction 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli. They dismissed student protests as politically motivated and assured the preservation of biodiversity. Amid ongoing protests at Hyderabad Central University, they reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transferring land titles to the university for academic use, despite opposition criticism.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu, IT Minister Sridhar Babu, and Revenue Minister Ponguletti Srinivas Reddy defended the Telangana government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli in a press conference at the Secretariat on 1 April.
The ministers reiterated that the land legally belongs to the state and dismissed student protests as being politically motivated by opposition parties. Bhatti Mallu also accused the opposition of exploiting well-meaning students with false narratives.
The announcement comes amid weeks of unrest on the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus, where students have been protesting the auction since mid-March. The issue escalated on 30 March, when several students were detained during a demonstration. Despite the backlash, the ministers assured that the biodiversity of the area would be preserved and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transferring land titles to the university for academic purposes.
“The state fought in the Supreme Court to retain rights over the government’s land till 2024. This land was once allotted to IMG Bharatha in exchange for other land provided to the University. However, the BRS never tried to lay claim to it,” the Deputy Chief Minister explained.
“We are strongly against ecological imbalance and reiterate our commitment to making Hyderabad a pollution-free city. Structures like the Mushroom Rock and the lakes will be preserved. We also have an attachment to the University and are doing this to provide employment to its graduates and generate income for the state,” he said.
He also cited the 2022 Justice Shameem Akhtar judgment in which he ruled that the university has no say in the usage of the land. “We are not saying that the university lacks autonomy. However, this land belongs solely to the state,” he stated.
#Telangana: “The state fought in the Supreme Court to retain rights over the government’s land till 2024. This land was once allotted to IMG Bharatha in exchange for other land provided to the University. However, the BRS never tried to lay claim to it,” Deputy Chief Minister… pic.twitter.com/AG6Swn95f6
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 1, 2025
He also assured that the government was engaging in dialogue with various student and environmental organisations to find viable solutions to the issue.
“We are not even taking an inch of the university’s land,” IT Minister Sridhar Babu stated. “We are actively formulating a plan to preserve the biodiversity on the 400 acres up for auction,” he reported. The Telangana Industry Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) also stated the same, assuring the formulation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
He further echoed Bhatti Mallu’s thoughts that the opposition was exploiting the students. “Some forces are trying to mislead the students and people by spreading false narratives,” he alleged, accusing the BRS of colluding with the BJP to block progress.
“We have not taken any land belonging to the University,” IT Minister @OffDSB stated. He further reassured that they would work to preserve the biodiversity of the 400 acres up for auction.
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 1, 2025
“Some forces are trying to mislead the students and people by spreading false… pic.twitter.com/xjj9doFXQP
Similarly, Revenue Minister Ponguletti Srinivas Reddy also took the opportunity to criticise the BRS. “You abandoned the land because you couldn’t take it for yourselves. Nobody in the Congress is that selfish,” he accused.
“During your decade-long regime, you never thought to transfer the land to the university. However, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Cabinet decided to hand over the land rights to the university,” he announced.
“We have asked the University to submit a representation on its behalf regarding the Deed of Conveyance. Following that, we will work to transfer the land titles directly to the University of Hyderabad,” the Principal Secretary (Land Revenue), Navin Mittal, clarified to South First.
“In 1975, the state government allotted some 2,300 off acres to the university. However, since then, there have been numerous transfers and structures like the Gachibowli Stadium and IIIT that have come up on that land. Hence, about 1,600 acres will be transferred to the institution now,” he explained.
Additionally, he also addressed the university’s allegations that there was no survey of the 400 acres. “The university can claim whatever it wants. However, we have conducted the survey and demarcated the parcel in their presence. The TGIIC maps are official,” he stated.
Earlier today, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Goud also held a press conference on the issue. “There is no ambiguity over the ownership of the Kancha Gachibowli land. It is owned by the state government. There are no legal complications,” he stated
“Despite the clear status of these lands, the BJP and BRS parties are unnecessarily politicising the issue,” he alleged. He further accused the two opposition parties of colluding. “The agitation against the auction of the Kancha Gachibowli lands has revealed a strong political connection between BJP and BRS,” he said.
He further noted that private parties encroached upon university lands during the BRS regime. “My Home Vihanga was built on university land, and a 100-ft road was constructed under KTR’s administration for his associates,” he stated. “If BJP leaders are genuinely concerned about environmental damage, they should question My Home Vihanga first before raising concerns about other university lands,” he added.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
