Telangana issue stalls University of Hyderabad polls

University of Hyderabad students’ union elections have been stalled for the moment over the demand for a separate state of Telangana. The controversy popped up on Tuesday evening during the University General Body Meeting to dissolve the present students’ union and form an election commission. A group of students from Telangana disrupted the proceedings alleging that one of the members of ruling Students Federation of India had passed objectionable comments about Telangana.

B Sharma, dean of students’ welfare, UoH said the election process had been stalled considering the volatile atmosphere created during the UGBM. “Students had differences of opinion and we hope that students talk it out among themselves so that management stays out. As soon as the situation is conducive, we will hold the elections,” he said.

The students of Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika (TVV) and the Telangana Students Association (TSA) have listed three demands of which one is clarity from central government regarding the status of separate a statehood. “We demand rustication of the student who abused Telangana. Also we want implementation of 42% reservation for Telangana students as mentioned in the 6th plan of Government of India when the university was established, and until the separate state of Telangana is achieved we will not let the elections be held,” said Upender Gundala of TSA.