INDIA – The Telangana Congress wants party leader Rahul Gandhi to meet students who have been jailed for protesting the Osmania University’s refusal to allow him on campus. Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy met the Chanchalguda jail superintendent on Monday, requesting him to allow the meeting between Rahul Gandhi and the arrested student leaders next week.
Gandhi is scheduled to visit the state on 6 and 7 May.
The Congress is infuriated at the Osmania University’s decision not to allow Gandhi to meet students on campus. The university gave many reasons, including a resolution passed last year that political activity would not be allowed.
The Congress, however, accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of pressuring the university administration.
Reddy tweeted Monday: “The Telangana Rashtra Samiti government is in a state of panic because of Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state.”
After the university denied permission, the Congress’s students wing – National Student Union of India (NSUI) – protested Sunday and at least 18 students were arrested. Reddy said Telangana NSUI president Venkat Balmoor and the others were being held in a false case.
He tweeted: “We have given representation to the superintendent of Chanchalguda jail seeking permission for Rahulji to visit our illegally arrested TSNSUI president and other important leaders.”
Rahul Gandhi will also address a public meeting of farmers in Warangal on 6 May. Reddy has requested at least one member from every farmer family to attend the “Rythu Sangharshana” meet as it was aimed at “restoring the self-respect of farmers”.
