Hyderabad, May 30, 2024 - Mir Qurram Ali, the National President of the VSD, has voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Dr. S.V. Kota Reddy as the Vice Chancellor of a prominent university in Telangana. Dr. Reddy, currently the Vice Chancellor of VIT AP Private University, is known for his association with Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, a controversial figure in regional politics.

Ali's primary contention is that the appointment represents an undue influence of Andhra Pradesh individuals in Telangana's educational system. "We fought for 20 years to achieve statehood for Telangana, and we will not allow Andhra people to rule over us again," Ali declared passionately. He further criticized the current Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, for what he perceives as ongoing injustices against the state's students.

Ali cited several grievances, including the shifting of the High Court to land belonging to the Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, and proposed changes to the Telangana logo. "We will not tolerate these actions. Telangana is ours. Over a hundred students gave their lives for the creation of Telangana," Ali stated, emphasizing the deep sacrifices made for the state's autonomy.

In a move demonstrating their dissent, students of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) and members of the JNTUH Protection Force are sending postcards to both the Governor and the Chief Minister. These postcards advocate for the appointment of vice chancellors based on merit, rather than political connections. The student groups insist that candidates for such important positions should be selected from those currently serving in government universities, rather than private institutions.

The protest highlights a broader demand for transparency and meritocracy in the appointment of academic leaders in Telangana. As the controversy continues, the calls for fair and just administrative practices grow louder, reflecting a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for the integrity and autonomy of Telangana's educational institutions.