Congress targeting Maulana Azad Urdu University land: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay has strongly criticised the Telangana government over notices issued for the takeover of 50 acres of land belonging to the prestigious Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad. He alleged that the Congress government is targeting land meant for educational institutions, calling it a shameful act that threatens students’ futures.

Taking to social media platform X, Bandi Sanjay questioned whether this move was the first step towards selling university land worth thousands of crores. He said a government that has failed to provide even basic facilities to students has no moral right to question land allocated for education decades ago. He also asked why the government was silent on encroachments at Salkam Cheruvu in the Old City while focusing its attention on universities. According to him, there appears to be selective action against educational institutions, while influential encroachers are ignored.

Warning the government, Bandi Sanjay said touching university land was crossing a “red line.” He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notices and warned that a statewide agitation would be launched along with students if the government did not reverse its decision. He added that the government should reclaim illegally occupied public land for public use, instead of harassing functioning universities.

The notices were issued last month by Ranga Reddy district officials, seeking an explanation as to why the 50 acres allotted to the university in 1998 had not been utilised so far. However, State Minister Jupally Krishna Rao clarified that the notices do not mean the land will be taken back. He described them as a reminder, asking whether it was wrong to seek clarity when land allocated nearly 28 years ago remains unused. He said the intention was to ensure the land is utilised for students’ benefit. Officials further stated that if the university submits a clear plan on how it intends to use the land, the notice process will be closed. The government has also agreed to grant the university the two months’ time it requested.