University of Hyderabad unions urge Rahul Gandhi to halt auction of 400 acres land in Kancha Gachibowli

Hyderabad: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing the University of Hyderabad (UoH) Students' Union, UoH Teachers Association, UoH Non-Teaching Employees Association, and UoH Workers Union has written an open letter to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, urging him to intervene in the Telangana state government's plan to auction 400 acres of land belonging to the university.

The JAC's letter condemns the proposed auction by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which is part of the original 2,300 acres allocated to the university in the 1970s. The Telangana government intends to sell this land to corporate companies to generate revenue, a move the JAC argues goes against the original intent for the land, which was designated solely for educational and technological purposes.

The university was established in the 1970s as part of efforts to promote education in the backward Telangana region. The land was allocated to the university through Parliament under Article 371(d)(e) of the Indian Constitution, with the condition that it would be used only for educational purposes. According to the JAC, any use of the land for non-educational purposes would lead to it reverting back to the state government.

In the letter, the JAC presented several demands for action, the immediate halt of the auction of 400 acres of land, the passing of a resolution to safeguard the University of Hyderabad's land, and the proper registration of the original 2,300 acres in the university's name.

The JAC also highlighted the historical significance of the university, established during the Telangana Movement. They noted that the university's land holds cultural importance, referencing Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to the Golden Threshold and his planting of a tree on the campus before the university’s establishment.

The committee criticized the Telangana government's decision, claiming it overlooks the historical context and the university’s importance to the region. They also pointed to the government’s use of the university’s lack of official land records as an opportunity to seize the land.

Additionally, the JAC expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the auction, noting that the University of Hyderabad is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, earning it the nickname "Green lungs of Hyderabad." The campus houses numerous species of birds, plants, and animals, including spotted deer and star tortoises, which the JAC argues could be threatened by the auction.

The JAC also reminded Rahul Gandhi of his previous commitment to support the university, recalling his visit during the Rohith Vemula movement and his promise to stand by the university if it faced any attacks. The committee is calling on Rahul Gandhi to take immediate action and address what they see as a violation of the university’s rights and historical legacy.

In the letter, the JAC appeals to Rahul Gandhi to prioritize the issue, intervene in the Telangana state government’s actions, and ensure the university’s land is protected.