Police detain BRSV leaders ahead of Revanth Reddy’s visit to Osmania University

Police detained multiple student leaders at Osmania University before Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s visit, triggering allegations of repression. Students accused the government of suppressing dissent and failing on job, education and welfare promises, as security ramped up ahead of developmental programme launches

Hyderabad: A series of preventive arrests of the student organisation leaders swept the Osmania University (OU) ahead of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s visit to the university campus here on Wednesday.

Anticipating unrest by the students during the Chief Minister’s visit, police swung into action, detaining several student leaders, including BRSV general secretary Jangaiah, J Anil and Mithun, Mala Student JAC leader Madasu Rahul Rao, Mala Student Association OU president Nama Saidulu and ABVP OU president Druhan from their respective hostels.

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BRSV State vice president Dr Tunga Balu was also detained from his residence in Tarnaka early in the morning.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to hold a meeting with the university officials, teaching and non-teaching staff, and students at the Arts College. He will be launching developmental initiatives in the university.

Students claimed that barricades have been set up across the university and even common students were being taken into custody, claiming that they would stage a protest during the Chief Minister’s visit. They alleged that the State government was suppressing students’ right to dissent.

Condemning the action as undemocratic and misuse of power, the BRSV leaders accused the Chief Minister of fearing student backlash and deploying a large number of personnel inside the campus.

The BSRV criticised the Congress government for failing to deliver promises, including release of job calendar, filling up of two lakh jobs in a year, issuance of Rs.5 lakh Vidya Bharosa card, appointment of Education Minister, faculty and non-teaching staff recruitment in the universities, and distribution of scooters to women students.

BRSV leaders, including Dr Balu and Jangaiah, demanded the Chief Minister visit the university only after honouring these promises which were given during the assembly elections.