Student refuses PhD over T-state

In a change of strategy after suicides and agitations failed to achieve the goal of a separate Telangana state, students of Osmania University have resorted to rejection of degrees and have also refused to attend examinations.

A history student has returned his doctorate degree in the convocation held on Thursday in protest against the delay in according statehood to the Telangana region and also removal of Urdu calligraphy from the university emblem. Captain L Panduranga Reddy, a Telangana activist, was awarded the doctorate in history on “States Reorganisation - A case study of AP”. A native of Karimnagar, Reddy holds a bachelor degree in Law and has also practiced in Hyderabad.

“I did research in the history of the Telangana region, its culture, ethos, economy and natural resources and presented it as a case study,” he said.

Reddy said the removal of Urdu calligraphy from the University emblem was an insult to the people of Telangana and an attack on its culture.