Mild tension gripped the Osmania University campus in Hyderabad on Monday as several student activists protested against the varsity’s recent circular prohibiting any form of demonstration. As students staged a rally chanting slogans against the vice chancellor and the Telangana government, the police detained and took several of them to the Osmania University police station.
The students burned copies of the circular earlier, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) called for a strike on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of the circular. Many policemen were deployed on campus on Monday in anticipation of the strike.
Several students protested outside the Osmania University College of Arts and Social Sciences building. Videos showing students, including women, being dragged away have been widely shared on social media platforms.
The controversial circular dated March 13 banned protests and sit-ins on the university campus, its various constituent colleges and administrative buildings.
“In recent times, it is observed that there are several incidents of students/student groups have been entering the Departments/ Colleges Centres Administrative Building, Osmania University and staging demonstrations and dharnas resulting in disruption of the administrative work and giving the wrong perception of the University to the Society,” the circular read.
The circular said these incidents have an “adverse effect” on the smooth functioning of the university, leading to delay in administrative and academic progress.
ABVP national executive member and Telangana universities coordinator Jeevan said they would continue to protest against the varsity’s circular banning protests.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
