MANUU has been directed to submit its explanation within seven days from the date of receipt of the notice, failing which the government may proceed with the resumption of the land.
Published Jan 07, 2026 | 8:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 07, 2026 | 8:53 PM
Maulana Azad National Urdu University
Synopsis: MANUU has been directed to submit its explanation within seven days from the date of receipt of the notice, failing which the government may proceed with the resumption of the land. The Revenue Department has sought clarification on why the unused land should not be resumed for non-utilisation and violation of allotment conditions.
The Telangana government’s show-cause notice issued to the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) for alleged non-utilisation of a portion of prime government land has triggered a major political controversy, with the opposition BJP and BRS accusing the Congress government of targeting educational institutions and minorities.
According to the notice issued by Ranga Reddy district Collector, MANUU was allotted 200 acres of government land nearly three decades ago in Survey Nos. 211 and 212 of Manikonda village in Gandipet Mandal of Ranga Reddy district for the establishment of a national-level Urdu university. The notice states that physical inspections revealed that about 50 acres of the land remains vacant and unutilised, prompting the government to initiate steps to resume the unused portion.
The issue of notice followed a report submitted by the Tahsildar of Gandipet Mandal stated that while around 150 acres of the allotted land is currently covered by university buildings and other structures, the remaining 50 acres has been left vacant and unused.
The decision to issue notice was taken by the District Level Monitoring and Audit Committee (DLMAC), chaired by the District Collector after reviewing the issue on 27 August 2024.
The committee recommended that the government seek specific instructions regarding unutilised government land and regularise alienation orders relating to land allotted to institutions. Acting on these recommendations, the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), Hyderabad, issued instructions pointing to violations of alienation conditions under the Telangana Area Alienation of State Land Revenue Rules, 1975.
Subsequently, government orders issued on 4 April 2025, decided to resume the unutilised 50 acres from MANUU on the grounds that the land was not being used for the purpose for which it was allotted. The notice stated that the land was proposed to be utilised for other public services and would be placed under the safe custody of the District Collector, Rangareddy.
MANUU has been directed to submit its explanation within seven days from the date of receipt of the notice, failing which the government may proceed with the resumption of the land. The Revenue Department has sought clarification on why the unused land should not be resumed for non-utilisation and violation of allotment conditions.
The move has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar took serious objection to the notice, questioning whether the university land, worth crores of rupees, was being put on the hammer for sale. In a post on social media, he said it was shameful for the Congress government to target land meant for students’ future and described the notice to MANUU questioning land usage as unacceptable.
He asked whether this was the first step towards selling off university land worth thousands of crores, and accused the government, which he said had failed to provide basic facilities, of questioning land allocations made for education.
The BJP leader also pointed out that encroached government lands exist across the state and questioned why no action was being taken against alleged encroachments such as Salkam Cheruvu in the Old City, referring to AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, while educational institutions were being targeted.
“Why doesn’t the government reclaim encroached lands elsewhere and use them for public purposes?” he asked, asserting that touching university lands was a red line. “Consider this a clear warning. The Telangana government should withdraw any decision to take over university lands. Failing that, I will stand with students and launch a statewide agitation,” he said.
The issue has also drawn a strong response from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Party working president KT Rama Rao directly addressed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether he was aware of what the Congress government was doing in Telangana. “Is this your idea of standing for education and minorities?” he asked.
Referring to the controversy at Hyderabad Central University, KT Rama Rao alleged that after what he described as a disgrace in which the Chief Minister “bulldozed a green forest and crushed wildlife,” bringing national embarrassment to the Congress, the party had failed to learn any lessons.
He accused the government of now targeting MANUU and attempting to snatch 50 acres meant for academic blocks, hostels and future courses, thereby sabotaging the aspirations of thousands of students.
“Is it fair to strip universities of land they need for emerging disciplines, only to feed the real estate greed of your Chief Minister?” he asked, adding that a responsible government should strengthen institutions of learning, not “cannibalise” them. Declaring that education was not a political pawn but the nation’s future, he said the BRS, along with the students of MANUU, would not remain silent and would fight the issue both on the ground and in the courts.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
