‘Beware Revanth Reddy’, ‘VC down down’ slogans rock OU Arts College; students demand circular prohibiting protests be rolled back

Student groups protest against Osmania University's ban on demonstrations in academic spaces

The College of Arts and Social Sciences in Osmania University, Hyderabad, rocked with slogans of ‘VC down down’, ‘Beware Revanth Reddy’ and ‘We want justice’ on Monday (March 17, 2025) as student groups of various political affiliations staged demonstrations against the university’s recent circular prohibiting protests in administrative and academic spaces.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) gave a bandh call on Sunday, and scores of its activists occupied the front yard of the ‘Arts college’, shouted slogans, waved saffron flags.

“The Assembly, which is in progress, must clearly speak out against the circular issued by the Vice Chancellor, else it would be understood that the State government conspired for this. It seems they want to stifle student voices,” a woman leader being removed by the police said.

The circular dated March 13, issued by the Registrar, notified that there will be prohibition on staging agitations and dharnas in the departments, colleges, centres and administrative building areas. The other violations it said were trespassing, sloganeering, preventing administrative authorities and staff from discharging their duties, and using unparliamentary language against university staff.

Sensing immediate backlash from student groups, voluntary organisations and political parties, the university in a clarification issued on Sunday stated that the said prohibitive order does not impose a blanket ban on protests but only bans protests in administrative and academic spaces to not disrupt smooth functioning. It further advised students to approach officials concerned with their grievances for resolution through proper channel.

Student groups also led a rally on Monday protesting the development and demanded that the circular be rolled back unconditionally. Scenes of heightened tensions were witnessed briefly as the Hyderabad police overpowered the protesters and removed them all in vans and transferred away.