Several Bharat Rashtra Vidyarthi Samithi (BRSV) leaders and students were detained in Hyderabad on Friday after police stopped their attempt to march towards the Telangana Legislative Assembly over pending scholarships and the withdrawal of Government Order No. 97 concerning polytechnic colleges.
The protesters gathered near the Assembly and tried to proceed towards the premises, according to Telangana Today. Police prevented them from advancing and detained several members of the group. Security was also increased around the Assembly during the protest.
BRSV leader Prashant Goud demanded the immediate release of Rs 12,000 crore in pending scholarships for students. He also called for the withdrawal of GO No. 97, which the organisation says is linked to concerns involving polytechnic colleges.
Goud alleged that the Telangana government was ignoring problems faced by students and warned that the organisation would intensify its agitation if the demands were not addressed. The reported demands centre on the release of scholarship funds and a review or withdrawal of the government order.
The protest was stopped before the demonstrators could enter the Assembly premises. Police action restricted the march and kept the protesters away from the legislative complex. The report did not include details of the number of people detained, the sections invoked by police or whether any detainees were subsequently released.
Goud also threatened to lay siege to the residence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy if the government failed to withdraw GO No. 97. He said the BRSV would take up stronger forms of protest if authorities continued to remain unresponsive.
The immediate dispute combines a demand for the release of pending student scholarships with opposition to an order affecting polytechnic colleges. The report did not include a response from the Telangana government, the Education Department or the police on the scholarship demand, the status of the funds, or the contents and implementation of GO No. 97.
The BRSV said it would intensify its agitation. Further protests and the government’s response to the scholarship and polytechnic college demands are expected to determine the next stage of the dispute.
