Letter to Rahul Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth condemns police action against EFLU students in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD — A letter signed by several civil society members, activists, and citizens has been addressed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, urging them to drop FIRs against students and youth booked by police for participating in pro-Palestine protests in the state.
The signatories, including social activists SQ Masood, Dr Jasveen Jairath, Sagar Dhara, Kiran Kumar Vissa, Khalida Parveen, Veena Shatrugna and journalist Nikhat Fatima, expressed deep concern over the police action against the protesters. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIRs, citing concerns about the erosion of democratic rights and freedoms.
This development comes after a pro-Palestine protest at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad turned violent, resulting in the booking of nine students. The police alleged that the students had obstructed public servants and promoted enmity between groups
“On October 7, EFLU students held a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestine when activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) allegedly disrupted the protest. However, the Osmania University police booked the students instead and detained them late at night,” the letter read.
“On the same day in Adilabad district, police reportedly detained 8–10 young social workers, including four minors, who had planned to demonstrate in support of Palestine. They were accused of raising slogans like “Palestine Zindabad” and “Boycott Zudio” and were booked under multiple BNS sections,” the letter read, adding the police mistreated the protestors.
Reminding Rahul Gandhi that he and other members of his party, as well as his family, including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, have publicly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, the letter stated that the Telangana Police’s actions under a Congress-led government contradict this stance and “send a deeply disturbing message.”
“We urge you and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to direct Telangana DGP, Adilabad SP, and Hyderabad Commissioner to withdraw the FIRs against students and activists, and hold an inquiry into the alleged police misconduct,” the letter read.
