Harish Rao Detained in Hanamkonda on Way to Polytechnic Students Protest

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Legislature Party deputy leader T. Harish Rao was detained by the police in Hanamkonda on Thursday while on his way to join a protest staged by polytechnic students. Following the detention, police shifted him to the Subedari police station.

Students of the Warangal Government Polytechnic college later met Mr. Rao in Hanamkonda to brief him about their ongoing agitation against Government Order (G.O.) 97, which seeks to merge polytechnic education with the Young India Skill University (YISU).

Speaking to the students, Mr. Rao alleged that the Congress government was attempting to stifle the voice of protesting polytechnic students and accused the ruling party of displaying double standards toward student movements in Telangana.

Mr. Rao criticized Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who also holds the education portfolio, claiming that G.O. 97 jeopardises the academic careers of polytechnic students. He stated that merging government polytechnic colleges with the Skill University—established under a public-private partnership (PPP) model—amounted to virtually privatising the institutions.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of G.O. 97 and urged the state government to keep polytechnic colleges under government control to safeguard the interests of students. Mr. Rao also questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had not visited Telangana while polytechnic students and other student groups were protesting across the state over G.O. 97 and pending fee reimbursement dues.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Rao visited the dharna camp of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana employees, teachers, and pensioners at the Collectorate, extending his support to their agitation demanding the release of six pending Dearness Allowances (DAs) and the implementation of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC).