In a significant development late Thursday night, the Telangana government responded to the escalating protests over the Kancha Gachibowli land auction by announcing the formation of a ministerial committee to address the contentious issue. This decision came hours after the Supreme Court intervened, directing the state to halt what it described as “alarming deforestation activities” in the forested area near the University of Hyderabad (UoH). Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy took to X to outline the government’s plan, revealing that the committee—comprising Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, and Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy—would engage with the university’s executive council, the Joint Action Group (JAC), civil society organizations, student representatives, and other stakeholders. The move signals an attempt to de-escalate tensions that have gripped the region since the state began clearing trees on Sunday, sparking widespread outrage among students and environmentalists. The Supreme Court’s stay on all activities, including tree-felling, has provided temporary relief to protesters, but the government’s next steps will likely determine whether a lasting resolution can be achieved.
The protests, which intensified after the deforestation drive began, have seen hundreds of UoH students take to the streets, demanding the preservation of the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land, which the state government won legal title to in May 2024 after a prolonged two-decade dispute. The government’s plan to auction the land aims to generate at least Rs 10,000 crore in revenue, with additional goals of developing IT parks and enhancing urban connectivity in Hyderabad’s IT corridor. However, this vision has clashed with the concerns of students and activists who view the area as an ecological asset worth protecting. The Supreme Court, in its Thursday hearing, questioned the Telangana government on the urgency of clearing the tree cover and sought details on whether an environmental impact assessment had been conducted or statutory permissions secured. Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar, speaking to indianexpress.com, defended the government’s stance, asserting that the disputed land does not belong to UoH and has simply remained vacant, allowing trees to grow. He accused opposition parties of exploiting the situation to tarnish Chief Minister Reddy’s image, framing him as a dictator unwilling to engage in dialogue—a narrative the government now seeks to counter through its newly formed committee.
The students, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s interim order as a “crucial victory,” remain steadfast in their resolve to continue the protests until the government abandons its auction plans entirely. Vennala, president of the Ambedkar Students Association and a key figure in the movement, emphasized that the fight is far from over, even as the relay hunger strike—ongoing since Tuesday—was called off following the court’s directive. The government, for its part, has expressed its commitment to adhering to judicial orders, with Vikramarka and Babu issuing a joint statement affirming their trust in the Supreme Court and promising to submit requested information within the stipulated deadline. They also instructed the Intelligence DG and Cyberabad Commissioner to avoid harsh measures against the students, a gesture aimed at fostering an atmosphere conducive to dialogue. As the ministerial committee prepares to initiate discussions, the Kancha Gachibowli issue stands at a critical juncture, balancing economic ambitions, environmental concerns, and the voices of a mobilized student community determined to protect their campus’s surroundings.
