HYDERABAD: A recent video depicting the clearing of land at Hyderabad Central University (HCU) has gone viral on social media, intensifying the ongoing dispute over the 400 acres in Kanche Gachibowli. The footage, reportedly captured at midnight, shows bulldozers leveling the area, causing herds of deer and flocks of peacocks to flee in distress. This visual has led netizens to draw parallels with scenes from the 2009 Hollywood film ‘Avatar’, where indigenous habitats are destroyed for resource exploitation.
The circulation of this video has further fueled protests by HCU students and faculty, who are vehemently opposing the Telangana government’s decision to auction the land. They argue that such actions not only threaten the university’s ecological balance but also displace wildlife from their natural habitat. Opposition parties, celebrities, and the general public have extended their support to the demonstrators, condemning the government’s move as detrimental to biodiversity and green spaces.
Critics accuse the Congress-led administration of prioritizing development over environmental conservation, alleging that the land clearing is an attempt at unauthorized acquisition under the guise of progress. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many taking to social media to express their discontent and to call for the preservation of the area’s flora and fauna.
As the controversy escalates, stakeholders are urging the government to reconsider its plans and to engage in dialogue with the university community to find a resolution that balances development with environmental stewardship.
