BY Shashank Pasupuleti
Hyderabad, November 28, 2024: The ongoing protests by employees of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University have reached their 70th day, demanding the government withdraw its decision to allocate university land to Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU). MLC Prof. Kodandaram assured the Joint Action Committee (JAC) members that a solution to the land issue would be found soon.
Prof. Kodandaram met with the JAC delegation on Thursday and held discussions regarding their demands. He expressed gratitude to the protestors for postponing their intensified agitation temporarily and assured them that he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister in the next two to three days to expedite the resolution.
The JAC delegation, which included Prof. Vaddanam Srinivas, Prof. Pallavi Kabade, Dr. Venkateshwarlu, Dr. Rajani, Dr. Udayuni, and Rajanikant, strongly reiterated their demand to revoke Government Order No. 1043/TE/A12/2024, which initiated the land transfer process.
On Thursday, JAC members, employees, and faculty protested outside the administrative building during lunch breaks, wearing black badges and raising slogans against the government decision. They declared that the protests would continue until the government rescinded its decision.
The protest witnessed participation from key JAC leaders, including Dr. Rabindranath Solomon, Dr. Yakesh Daida, Habibuddin, Pandu, Shabbir, and Ramulu, alongside faculty, non-teaching staff, administrative personnel, technical associations, time-scale, outsourcing, contract employees, students, and employee union leaders. Slogans opposing the government’s move echoed throughout the campus as protestors demanded justice for Ambedkar University’s land.
The protests highlight growing dissatisfaction among the university community, which remains steadfast in protecting the institution’s integrity and future.
