Harish Rao arrested as BRS intensifies protests over polytechnic merger, employee issues
BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao was arrested in Hanamkonda on Thursday after he attempted to visit students protesting against the proposed merger of government polytechnic colleges with the Young India Skills University (YISU), as the BRS stepped up its opposition to the Telangana government on student and employee issues.
Harish Rao had been placed under house arrest at his Kokapet residence in Hyderabad earlier in the day ahead of his planned visit to Warangal. He later managed to leave the residence and reach Hanamkonda.
Before heading to the Government Polytechnic College in Warangal, Harish Rao attended a protest by Telangana Non-Gazetted Officers (TNGOs) at the District Collectorate and extended support to their demands. He later left for the college but was arrested by police.
Former minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao, former government Chief Whip Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and other BRS leaders were also arrested. The action led to tension at the Collectorate, with BRS workers raising slogans and resisting the police.
Harish Rao was later shifted to Subedari police station as BRS workers followed the police vehicle and protested against his arrest.
The BRS leader demanded the immediate withdrawal of GO 97, which provides for bringing government polytechnic colleges under the YISU framework. He alleged that the proposed merger could jeopardise the future of nearly one lakh students and eventually lead to the privatisation of polytechnic education.
Speaking at the police station, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of suppressing the student agitation and questioned the heavy police presence at the college.
“Are the students terrorists or anti-social elements?” he asked, alleging that students were being prevented from leaving the campus and that student and BRS leaders were being detained.
He claimed that parents of at least 10 students had already taken transfer certificates because of uncertainty over the future of the polytechnic system. He also demanded action against police personnel whom he accused of using force against protesting students.
Meanwhile, police deployed a large number of personnel at the Government Polytechnic College in Warangal. Students were reportedly checked before entering the campus, while groups of students were restricted from entering together and students were prevented from leaving the premises. BRSV leaders in Warangal and Hanamkonda were also detained ahead of the planned protest.
At the TNGO protest, Harish Rao demanded the release of six pending dearness allowances, implementation of the Pay Revision Commission and settlement of retirement benefits for government employees.
He also criticised the government over the Employees Health Scheme, alleging that employees were paying higher contributions without receiving adequate medical services. He claimed that several hospitals were refusing EHS beneficiaries because agreements with the government had not been finalised.
Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to address the concerns of employees and teachers and alleged that several sections of society had been forced to take to the streets.
The BRS has announced a week-long statewide agitation from September 2 to 8 to mark the Congress government's completion of 1,000 days in office. The party said the campaign would highlight what it described as failures to implement the government's election promises.
Former minister S Niranjan Reddy said the BRS would release a charge sheet on the government's performance and organise programmes covering agriculture, irrigation, power, youth employment, fee reimbursement and issues related to 22A prohibited properties.
The party plans to hold constituency-level dharnas on September 2, farmers' conferences on September 3, programmes involving women and senior citizens on September 4, and rallies over employment and fee reimbursement on September 5. It will also organise protests on local issues and rural infrastructure on September 6 and submit representations to officials on September 7 and 8.
The BRS has further announced that it will extend solidarity to teachers and government employees and participate in protests across Telangana on September 10.
Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Congress had relied on guarantees and declarations to win the election but failed to implement its promises after coming to power. He said the BRS would continue to raise public issues and question the government over its performance.
