Journalist detained while reporting on Hyderabad University protest, later released

A journalist covering the ongoing student protests at the University of Hyderabad was detained by police on Sunday. Sumit Jha of South First was reporting on the demonstrations against the Telangana government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land near the university. According to South First, he was taken to Kollur police station despite presenting his press credentials. He has been since released.

“In a series of video messages sent to the South First newsroom from inside a police van, Jha said a police officer snatched his phone and detained him alongside the protesting students,” South First reported. “Despite clearly identifying himself as a journalist and displaying his Press ID card, Jha was not released, however, his phone was returned to him.” 

KT Rama Rao, the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, condemned the “draconian police overreach in Telangana”, tweeting that the “blatant suppression of free speech & expression is unacceptable”.

Jha’s detention came as students intensified their protests against the clearing of land in Kancha Gachibowli for the development of an IT park. They argue that the area is ecologically significant, home to over 455 species of flora and fauna, and its destruction would cause severe environmental damage. 

Tensions escalated on Sunday when authorities deployed earth-moving equipment to clear the land, prompting students to block the machinery and confront the police. The Cyberabad police detained 53 students, accusing them of obstructing government operations and assaulting personnel. While they were later released, two protesters, B Rohit Kumar and Erram Naveen Kumar, remain in judicial custody.

The university’s Students’ Union has announced an indefinite protest and class boycott, demanding the removal of police forces and construction equipment from the site. They accuse the university administration of enabling the state’s land-clearing activities and have called on faculty members to join their cause.

Meanwhile, in a statement released on Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reasserted the state government’s claim on the land and cautioned that disputes could be considered contempt of court.

“The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has not encroached on the lands of the University of Hyderabad and has not damaged the existing lakes and rock formations. The current project is in line with the government's priorities of world-class IT infrastructure, increased connectivity, and availability of adequate urban spaces,” Reddy’s office said.

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