BJP Launches 48-Hour Fast Over Fee Arrears

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday began a 48‑hour hunger strike at the party headquarters, demanding immediate release of pending fee reimbursement dues estimated at ₹15,000 crore. The protest, launched under the banner “Feesula Bakayi – BJP Ladayi”, was shifted to the BJP office after police denied permission at Dharna Chowk.

Addressing supporters, Rao accused the Congress government of ruining the future of nearly 40 lakh students and pushing the education system into crisis, noting that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy holds the education portfolio. He said non‑payment of dues was preventing students from obtaining certificates and availing higher education and job opportunities. Rao claimed the party had collected signatures from five lakh students across colleges and warned that the struggle would continue under BJYM leadership until the issue was resolved.

He also challenged Rahul Gandhi to visit Telangana and answer for the withheld reimbursements, instead of provoking students in BJP‑ruled states. The event was attended by MPs Rekha Sharma, Raghunandan Rao, Palvai Harish Babu, MLAs, MLCs, party leaders and student representatives.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr K. Laxman described fee reimbursement as a symbol of self‑respect for SC, ST, BC and EBC students. He condemned CM Revanth Reddy’s “criminal waste” remark against protesting students, saying such humiliation would boomerang on the Chief Minister. Laxman demanded release of dues and continuation of the scheme in full, warning that BJP’s fight would continue until justice was done to students.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP R. Krishnaiah said the movement would turn into a flame and eventually challenge Revanth Reddy’s authority if the government did not respond. He alleged that the Chief Minister appeared to have a design to weaken fee‑reimbursement and scholarship schemes, pointing out that arrears remained unpaid even after three years. Krishnaiah urged the government to focus on solving student problems rather than diverting issues or making personal attacks on leaders.

Rao’s hunger strike received widespread support. BJP MPs, MLAs, MLCs, senior leaders, party office‑bearers and representatives of affiliated Morchas visited the protest venue and expressed solidarity. Students, parents, advocates, educational institution representatives, faculty members and college managements also extended support.

A large number of students and representatives of student organisations from different districts gathered at the venue. They included students pursuing engineering, degree, polytechnic, medical, Ayurveda and homeopathy courses. Students and staff from Osmania, Kakatiya, Palamuru, Telangana and Satavahana universities also participated.

Speakers said the fee reimbursement issue affected not only students but also their parents, college managements, teaching staff, non‑teaching employees and the wider education system. Degree College Association president Suryanarayana Reddy, along with Ramakrishna, Srinivas and representatives of prominent institutions, highlighted the severe financial difficulties caused by the delay in reimbursements.