Osmania varsity denies permission for Rahul's event

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will not be addressing students at the historic Osmania University during his two-day visit to Hyderabad on August 13 and 14.

The university cited security concerns as grounds for denying the permission.

Even as a section of the students were planning to move court for permission, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has made alternative arrangements for Rahul to address a large gathering of students and unemployed youth at Saroornagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The meeting is named "roar of students and unemployed youth".

"It is very clear that the TRS government in the state is afraid of Rahul addressing the Osmania University students. We were told that the application for permission by the students met a similar fate in the hands of the police chief. However, Rahul will speak with students and also Muslim intelligentsia despite of the obstacles created by the government," TPCC chief, Capt N Utham Kumar Reddy said addressing a press conference at the Gandhi Bhavan.

As per initial schedule, students have applied to the registrar for permission for Rahul's visit to the campus.

According to Osmania University estate cell joint director N Venkateshwarlu, main applicant Manavatha Roy, a research scholar, was informed that the permission was denied. He further explained that "permission was denied due to security reasons and also the special security cover for Rahul".

The university maintained that it took a decision not to allow any political activity, including meetings on the campus. Osmania was the epicentre of the separate Telangana movement from 2009 till the statehood was accorded in 2014.

The Congress president will be addressing several sections of people in the city and in adjoining Rangareddy district during the two-day visit.

Rahul would address 33,000 booth level polling agents of the party through video conference. His itinerary in Hyderabad starts with a meeting with women self-help groups at Shamshabad on Monday afternoon.

He will address a meeting with Sherilingampally constituency Congress workers. He would stay the night at Harita Plaza, adjacent to the chief minister's bungalow.

On August 14, he will be interacting with media editors and will address young CEOs of industries at hotel Taj Krishna before proceeding to address a public meeting of students and unemployed youth at Saroornagar.