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Hyderabad: Students of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) staged a protest on campus against the Telangana government’s move to resume 50 acres of land allotted to the university, calling it an attack on public education and minority institutions.
The protest was organised by the MANUU Students’ Collective, with students marching from the Central Library to Bab-e-Ilm while raising slogans demanding the immediate withdrawal of the show-cause notice issued by the Ranga Reddy district administration.
The notice, dated December 15, was issued to MANUU Registrar Ishtiaq Ahmad, asking why 50 acres of land in Survey Nos. 211 and 212 at Manikonda village in Gandipet mandal should not be resumed by the state government. Officials have cited “non-utilisation” of the land, stating that while 150 acres of the 200 acres allotted to the university in 1998 have been developed, the remaining portion remains vacant.
Students and university representatives, however, argue that the land is earmarked for future academic expansion, including hostels, libraries and other institutional infrastructure. They pointed out that delays in construction were due to administrative processes, funding constraints and dependence on central agencies such as the Central Public Works Department.
Student leader Mateen Talha, in a post on social media platform X, criticised the government’s action, stating that reclaiming university land under the pretext of non-utilisation reflects a systematic disregard for public education and minority-serving institutions. He warned that such moves could severely affect the future growth and autonomy of central universities.
The protest also received support from the largest students wing “Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSO), which issued a statement condemning the government’s decision. MSO said the proposed resumption of land was “deeply unjust and harmful” to the academic future of MANUU, describing the move as part of a broader trend of undermining public and minority educational institutions.
“The vacant land is not surplus land but a strategic reserve for future development. Treating universities as land banks is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very idea of accessible public education,” the organisation said, urging the Telangana government to immediately withdraw the notice and protect the university’s interests.
The issue has also triggered political reactions, with leaders from opposition parties criticising the Congress-led Telangana government and accusing it of weakening educational autonomy. Some Union ministers have termed the move an assault on central institutions and minority education.
Meanwhile, MANUU authorities have sought additional time to submit a detailed response to the district administration, stating that a comprehensive development plan for the disputed land will be presented. Talks between university officials and government representatives are ongoing.