Telangana: JNTUH Students Seek Protection For Activists
Students also questioned the alleged entry of outsiders and part time PhD scholars into Manjeera and Gauthami hostels: Reports
HYDERABAD: Students at JNTUH have sought protection for those who supported a girl student in a harassment complaint, alleging retaliation against student activists and growing political interference in campus affairs.
The students submitted a representation to the principal seeking protection for Student Protection Forum (SPF) activists who they said had supported students with genuine grievances, including a girl student who approached them over a serious harassment matter.
The concerns follow the September 3 clash between students of JNTUH hostels, which began after an alleged objectionable remark involving a female student and later escalated into another confrontation. Police registered three cases after the incident and identified 21 students, of whom 16 were taken into custody and served notices.
Lokah Kumar, a student, said, “Students who came forward to support the girl should be protected from intimidation, retaliation and victimisation. We have also sought restoration of hostel admissions of the student activists who were allegedly suspended and an inquiry into damage to their hostel rooms, with the amount recovered from those responsible and deposited with the university.”
Another student, N. Sathwika, called for a fair, impartial and time‑bound inquiry into the alleged harassment, with protection for the complainant and witnesses. “If the allegations are established, we ourselves seek strict disciplinary action against the accused and associates, including cancellation of admission wherever permitted under university rules,” she told Deccan Chronicle.
Students also questioned the alleged entry of outsiders and part‑time PhD scholars into Manjeera and Gauthami hostels during night hours, seeking an inquiry and strict action against those who violated university norms.
Another concern raised was the alleged role of politically affiliated groups in campus affairs. They urged the university to ensure that no organisation is allowed to establish political dominance, intimidate students, suppress dissent or interfere with legitimate student welfare activities.
The students said the campus must remain a “safe, neutral and academically focused” environment where all are treated equally irrespective of organisational or political affiliations.
They also sought a stronger mechanism for students to safely report harassment, intimidation, discrimination and other grievances, and said welfare activities should not be suppressed merely because they question or expose issues affecting students.
