BRS blames Congress for deaths of 110 Gurukul students in Telangana
BRS leaders RS Praveen Kumar and Padi Kaushik Reddy accused the Congress-led Telangana government of neglecting Gurukul institutions, alleging 110 student deaths due to poor oversight and insensitivity. They demanded accountability, justice, and support for affected families, while criticising political apathy
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) General Secretary RS Praveen Kumar and Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy accused the Congress-led State government of gross negligence towards educational institutions, alleging that it had led to the deaths of 110 students in Gurukuls over the past two years.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, they said the administration was prioritising election campaigns and protecting rowdies while endangering the lives of underprivileged children. Dubbing the much-touted “Young India Schools” initiative a facade, they alleged that it was “killing Young India”.
Praveen Kumar lambasted BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for mocking the grief of Maganti Sunitha over her husband’s death as “drama” and for failing to visit the site of a student’s suicide in Vangara Gurukul School within his own constituency. “Such overconfidence in ignoring tragedies in his backyard shows a complete lack of humanity,” Praveen Kumar charged, pointing out that the 110 deceased students, many from poor families of labourers, sanitation workers, small traders and artisans, could have become collectors, engineers or doctors.
“These children are dying, yet Congress Ministers are busy in Jubilee Hills, abandoning governance for votes,” he said.
Praveen Kumar questioned Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s failure to console bereaved families.
“Has the CM visited even one family or called them to Hyderabad for condolences? He has time for Delhi trips but not for grieving parents,” he said, urging Jubilee Hills voters to confront Congress leaders canvassing for votes. “Question them. Why are you killing our children? Your hands are stained with their blood, and now you seek our ballots.”
The leaders also raised concerns over the Saidabad Juvenile Home under the purview of Women and Child Welfare Minister D Seethakka, where sexual harassment allegations persist.
“Has she or Child Rights Commission Chairman Sita Dayakar Reddy ever visited the victims?” Praveen Kumar asked, accusing the Congress government of neglecting Gurukul schools. Demanding protection for vulnerable groups, he said the government should safeguard IAS officer SAM Rizvi, who endured harassment from Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and the CM leading to his forced resignation, as well as women and children from atrocities.
“Instead, it is shielding rowdies,” he said.
Praveen Kumar also alleged double standards in policing. “Gunmen were provided to rowdy Baba Fasiuddin in Jubilee Hills, while BRS Working President KT Rama Rao faces cases for walking, and activist Kaushik Reddy was charged for visiting a police station. Is there one law for BRS and another for Congress? Brothel operator Akhilesh Pahalwan and rowdy sheeter Srishailam Yadav roam free with weapons. Why no action?” he asked.
Condemns student death in Vangara Gurukul
MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy provided details of the latest victim, Varshita, a topper at Vangara Gurukul School who had recently received a reward from the district collector. Described as the school captain and excelling in all fields, Varshita allegedly faced harassment from the principal and teachers after reporting their pilfering of supplies. After the Diwali break, the bullying intensified. Despite having no major health issues, she was treated at a clinic, following which she called her parents expressing reluctance to return to school and took her life within an hour after making the call.
“Staff ignored her cries during the act and transported her body in a tractor instead of an ambulance,” Reddy recounted. He demanded the suspension of the principal and teachers, and Rs. 1 crore ex gratia to the family.
