The BJP on Monday (March 31) condemned the police lathicharge on the students agitating against the proposed auction of government land at Kancha Gachibowli, extended its full support to them and demanded a full fledged inquiry.

Party leaders, including Union Minister of State for Home and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender and Chevella MP Konda Viveswar Reddy, in separate press conferences accused the government and the police of high handedness in dealing with the protesting students on Sunday.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar said the incident brought “tears to everyone” and said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was being inhuman in going ahead with the auction of the land, disregarding the students’ protests and pleas for protecting the environment. “Can’t the government administer the State without resorting to the sale of public land? Is it not interested in preserving it for the future generation? Is selling land the only way to pay the salaries?” he questioned.

The BJP leader, who opined that the land belonged to the University of Hyderabad (UoH), accused the police of barging into rooms to thrash ABVP activists and demanded action against those involved. He also questioned the “silence” of the Telangana Education Commission.

Mr. Rajender slammed the government for not heeding to the protesting students and warned that the party will organise a massive agitation against the sale of public land. Mr. Viveswar Reddy said though the government may be owning the land, it should reconsider its stand for the sake of providing lung space to the concrete jungle that has enveloped the area. The matter is already in court, he pointed out.

Earlier, party president and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy presided over a meeting of all senior leaders, district presidents and elected representatives, where the future course of action regarding the land auction was discussed. Top leaders of the party are expected to visit the site and declare solidarity with the agitating students.

General secretary K. Venkateshwarlu told the media later that it was also decided to take up an awareness campaign across the State to educate people about the Centre’s contribution in the supply of fine rice that is now being distributed by the State government through public distribution system and other schemes. Mandal committees will be formed by April 15, and screening of booth committees will be completed by then.