Food Safety Concerns Rock Gurukuls and Universities, Students Demand Action
Food safety in government-run educational institutions across Telangana has come under serious scrutiny, with allegations of adulterated and substandard food putting students’ health at risk. From the ST Ashram School in Narayankhed of Sangareddy district to the prestigious Osmania University in Hyderabad, recent incidents have triggered widespread concern and protests.
Students have taken to the streets, accusing authorities of negligence, while the principal opposition party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) , has strongly criticized the ruling Congress government . BRS leaders lashed out at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy , alleging that he has failed in his role as Education Minister .
Protests at ST Ashram School
The controversy intensified after students at the ST Ashram School in Venkatapur village of Narayankhed mandal reportedly fell ill after consuming allegedly contaminated food. The incident created a statewide uproar. Students staged a sit-in protest on the road, alleging that they were being served worm-infested rice and poor-quality meals .
Chanting slogans such as “We don’t want adulterated food… We want clean and safe meals,” the children demanded immediate action. BRS leader T. Harish Rao shared videos of the protest on social media, stating that the visuals reflect the government’s indifference toward students’ welfare.
Night Protests at Osmania University
A similar situation has unfolded at Osmania University in Hyderabad. Students, particularly women residing in hostels, began protesting on Wednesday night over the poor quality of food being served in the mess. They expressed anger that while the Chief Minister attends events and inaugurations, students’ basic needs are allegedly being neglected.
Harish Rao said the protests highlight a larger food safety crisis in the state’s educational institutions and accused the government of ignoring pressing concerns.
Opposition’s Sharp Criticism
BRS leaders strongly criticized the Chief Minister’s priorities, alleging frequent Delhi visits and limited focus on local governance. They claimed that despite over 60 trips to the national capital, Telangana gained little in the Union Budget .
The opposition also questioned the government’s plan to build “Young India Schools” with international standards. The BRS argued that when authorities are unable to ensure hygienic meals in existing residential schools, promises of world-class infrastructure appear unrealistic. They alleged that such mega projects prioritize estimates and commissions over addressing ground-level issues .
“Is This Indiramma Rajyam?”
Taking to social media, Harish Rao questioned whether students protesting for clean food reflects the promised “Indiramma Rajyam.” He asked how a government that allegedly fails to respond to Osmania students can claim to uphold people-centric governance .
Demanding immediate intervention in the Education Department, he called for quality meals in Gurukul and Ashram schools and swift resolution of issues at Osmania University. He warned that the BRS would intensify its agitation if corrective steps are not taken.
The incidents have reignited debate over accountability and food standards in Telangana’s public educational institutions, prompting calls for urgent reforms.