Harish Rao slams Revanth Reddy over snake bite incident in Mahabubabad gurukul

A snake bite incident at a Gurukul in Mahabubabad has left an intermediate student, Ashmita, in critical condition, sparking sharp criticism from former Minister T Harish Rao. He accused the Congress government of neglecting Gurukuls and failing to ensure basic safety and hygiene.

Hyderabad: Expressing concern over a snake bite incident at a Gurukul in Mahabubabad, former Minister T Harish Rao held Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy responsible for the incident and the life of the affected student, urging him to focus on the maintenance of Gurukuls in the State.

An intermediate student, Ashmita, suffered a snake bite on the campus of the Gurukul at Enagurthy mandal in Mahabubabad. She was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment, but her condition is stated to be critical.

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Saying that the incident had disturbed him deeply, Harish Rao wrote on X that Revanth Reddy should take note of the condition of Gurukuls under his rule.

“Are they educational institutions or havens for snakes? The Chief Minister, who also holds the Education portfolio, should answer whether this is not the failure of your administration,” he said.

He further pointed out that while the Chief Minister had enrolled himself at Harvard for pursuing expensive education and posed for photographs while poor students in Gurukuls were struggling for their lives back home.

The former Minister lashed out at the Congress government for neglecting the maintenance of Gurukuls. Tall claims were being made about establishing integrated residential schools at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, but it was shameful that the existing Gurukuls were being neglected, he said.

“Forget about integrated schools, the conditions at the existing Gurukuls have worsened. Maintenance of the schools was neglected and there is nobody to clear wild growth of bushes on the campus or even to switch on the lights,” he said, adding that unhygienic conditions had made dog bites and snake bites a regular feature in Gurukuls, which he termed highly deplorable. Students were not getting safe and sufficient food and there was no protection for their lives, he alleged.

Apart from students, their parents were also distressed over the state of affairs in Gurukuls. Parents were wondering whether their children were going to Gurukuls to pursue education or to fight for their lives, he said.

“The government must wake up from its slumber. It should initiate measures to improve conditions and safeguard the future of the students,” Harish Rao said, demanding that the Congress government ensure better medical treatment to Ashmita immediately.

“Revanth Reddy, please dedicate some attention from your political vendetta to the lives of these poor children,” he added.