Hyderabad: Osmania University police on Wednesday detained 11 student leaders of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) after they protested against a talk by Telangana Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Lingam Sridhar on campus.
The 11 students had gathered near the New Academic Block around 4.15pm to protest, according to a police statement. “The students were taken to Osmania University police station around 5.30 pm and a case was registered under Section 170 of the BNSS (preventive action). They were released by 7.30 pm,” said OU inspector V Dasu.
Democratic voices cannot be detained,” said MSF. They were taken into preventive custody to “avoid the possibility of a cognisable offence being committed if they were not stopped”. Following the detentions, student organisations, including SFI EFLU, MSF and Disha Students’ Organisation expressed solidarity with the detained students and condemned the police action. “Student dissent is not a crime.
“Students had previously faced restrictions and delays while seeking permission for reading circles, cultural programmes, discussions and other activities,” read a letter submitted to the Dean of Students’ Welfare by the students’ union, which sought a “uniform and transparent policy” for external speakers on campus. The students subsequently gathered to protest against the programme but were detained. Among them were EFLU Students’ union president Harshad Shibin of the Fraternity Movement; general secretary Irfan Shajudheen and joint secretary Haleemathu Sa’adiya of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF); sports secretary Udita and councillor Ashmit of NSUI; councillor Suaadha Sudheer of the Fraternity Movement; and Disha Students’ Organisation members Noura Hanan, Maryam Nasiha, Yasir, Mohammed Rasal and D Sreeja.
Questioning the administration’s decision to grant permission for the event, the students alleged that permissions had previously been denied for programmes involving academicians, human rights activists and student leaders.