Clashes erupted between Hyderabad Central University (HCU), also known as University Of Hyderabad (UoH), students and police following the entry of bulldozers into a contested 400-acre forested area. The Telangana Congress government reportedly plans to auction the land to private IT companies, drawing criticism from students and the opposition Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
400 Acres Of Land In University Of Hyderabad Deforested
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The dispute centres on land in Kancha Gachibowli, claimed by both the state government and the university. Following Sunday’s arrests of 52 students who obstructed bulldozer operations, authorities deployed dozens of heavy machinery to flatten the ground.
Telangana govt has decided to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli.
Students of the University of Hyderabad are protesting, citing concerns that the land is ecologically sensitive, rich in wildlife and also home to a water body. Several students were manhandled and… pic.twitter.com/oRdy8UyrNn
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) April 2, 2025
Students had previously burnt an effigy of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in protest. This controversy has roots dating back two decades. In 2022, the Telangana High Court ruled that without a deed of conveyance, the government retained ownership of the land — a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court.
Telangana’s Congress govt is auctioning 400 acres of Hyderabad Central University land, which is home to rich biodiversity.
Trees will be cut, wildlife will be displaced.
Did you hear any outrage from so-called environmentalists? Where’s Save Aarey Gang?Only Students are… pic.twitter.com/Lv2tEJUK4u
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) April 2, 2025
However, fresh legal challenges emerged when the NGO Vata Foundation filed a petition seeking “deemed forest” status for the area, citing its ecological importance. This case is scheduled for a hearing on April 7, 2025.
Also Read: COP16: Norway Pledges To Help Colombia With $22 Million In Its Efforts Against Deforestation
Mushroom Rock, Buffalo Lake And Other Casualties
The situation in Univ of #Hyderabad has escalated. #Congress Govt ALL SET to grad the land Bulldozer has entered into the #HCU campus and Police took control over #University and blocked the access to East Campus of #UoH.
Police have arrested some students as well. #SaveHCU. pic.twitter.com/ICgo4QRxV2— Aj Swaero (@Aj_Gorla) March 30, 2025
Students launched a social media campaign using the hashtag “oxygen not auction”, highlighting the land’s biodiversity — including four lakes, mushroom rock formations, and protected wildlife species such as Indian rock python, four-horned antelope and eagle owls.
This video of students being beaten and dragged by the police is from Telangana.
Hyderabad University students were brutally beaten by the police for protesting against the Congress govt….You won’t see any outrage over it for obvious reasons… pic.twitter.com/RolusdG6xN
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) March 30, 2025
The Chief Minister’s office clarified that the 400 acres legally belong to the government, warning that any dispute over ownership would constitute contempt of court. According to officials, the land was originally allotted to IMG Academies in 2004 for sports facilities, but the allotment was cancelled in 2006.
I Stand With Students Of Hyderabad University 🙏 #KanchaGachibowli pic.twitter.com/1prjzP0Qlb
— Desidudewithsign (@Nikhilsingh21_) April 1, 2025
After legal proceedings concluded in March last year, the government transferred rights to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation for IT development. The university administration disputes the government’s claim that joint surveys were conducted, stating that no demarcation has been agreed upon.
Also Read: Ghana Battles 70% Surge in Deforestation; 18,000 Hectares Lost In 2022 Alone!
The student union has vowed to intensify their struggle, while the BRS opposition party has extended support, criticising the Congress government for “brutalising students and wrecking the environment” while pursuing development at ecological expense.
Cover Image Credits: @indiaculturalhub/Instagram and @AskAnshul/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: April 02, 2025 12:35 PM