NEW DELHI, May 2: Controversy has erupted over the proposed visit to the Osmania University in Hyderabad to address the students’ community by the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the university authorities denying permission and the students’ bodies in line with their respective political affiliations divided over the issue.
Rahul Gandhi is due to visit Telangana on May 6 and 7 and was expected to address the students at Osmania University, among other programmes. The matter has now reached the court, with the students filing an appeal to get permission for Gandhi’s visit. Gandhi was expected to visit the campus on May 7 for what the Congress has called a “non-political” interaction with the students.
But the university authorities have reportedly said Gandhi cannot be allowed as no political activity was allowed on the campus. The University authorities pointed out that after a High Court order in June 2017, the university had adopted a resolution not to allow non-academic activities on campus, including political activity.
A part of the faculty, however, supported Gandhi’s visit. Professor of law G Vinod Kumar said it was not political but intellectual activity if Rahul Gandhi comes to discuss issues with students. Congress leaders have interpreted it as the state’s ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaning on the university, meaning to keep Gandhi away from an institution that is considered Ground Zero for the Telangana movement.
“Why are they stopping him? If Sonia Gandhi had not given Telangana, would you have become chief minister and minister? Congress leader Hanumantha Rao” commented. “After the coming of Telangana, have the young people got what was promised — jobs, fee reimbursement, what are your problems in hostel, he will ask. So KCR is stopping and arresting our activists and putting them in jail. It is wrong… it is not a public meeting. Students will tell Rahul Gandhi their issues,” he added.
On Sunday, activists of the NSUI – the student wing of the Congress — held protests at the campus against denial of permission. They were later detained by the police. Counter-protests were held by the student wing of the TRS and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the students’ organisation linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a public meeting in Warangal on May 6. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief Revanth says the meeting is expected to be attended by nearly five lakh people.
(Manas Dasgupta)
