Students Protest in Hyderabad Over Withheld Certificates Amidst Scholarship Lapses
A student protest in Hyderabad over withheld academic certificates led to significant traffic congestion. The dispute centers on delayed government scholarship payments under the new Corporate Admissions Scheme, with district officials now intervening to ensure students receive their documents.
Highlights
- •Students protested in Hyderabad against New Sri Chaitanya College for withholding academic certificates.
- •The protest caused a massive 10-kilometre traffic jam on Sagar Road, necessitating police intervention.
- •College management blames the conflict on delays in government scholarship fund releases following policy changes.
- •District authorities have ordered a site visit to ensure students receive their withheld documents.
A demonstration by students in Hyderabad has brought attention to ongoing scholarship lapses and administrative conflicts regarding academic documents. What began as a localized effort to recover essential certificates escalated into a significant public disruption on the busy Sagar Road, causing substantial traffic delays spanning nearly 10 kilometres.
The protesting students, primarily women, organized a sit-in to voice their grievances against New Sri Chaitanya College, a private junior college located in Turkayamjam. The core of their complaint is the institution’s refusal to release transfer and academic certificates, which they claim are being withheld due to pending fee-related disputes. As the demonstration grew, the resulting road blockade hindered movement for commuters, ambulances, and various educational transport services.
Disputes Over Scholarship Lapses and Fee Collection
The incident gained further traction after video footage surfaced showing police attempting to disperse the gathering to restore traffic flow. Law enforcement officials noted that the extent of the gridlock necessitated officers to walk several kilometres to reach the protest site, emphasizing the severity of the congestion caused by the scholarship lapses.
Addressing the underlying cause of the dispute, Bhanu Kumar, a director at the college, explained that the situation stems from recent shifts in government policy. Under the Corporate Admissions Scheme, funds were historically directed straight to the educational institutions. However, following the introduction of G.O. No. 9 in 2024, those payments are now credited directly into students' bank accounts. Because this transition occurred after the academic session had commenced, many students had previously signed agreements confirming that certificate issuance would be contingent upon clearing remaining dues.
The college administration asserts that each student is designated for a scholarship amount of Rs 38,000. They claim that because the government has not yet finalized the release of these funds, the institution required a security deposit from students to facilitate the release of their academic records. Currently, the documentation for 84 students remains stalled as they await the distribution of these government payments.
Official Intervention and Path Forward
The situation has prompted administrative notice. Rangareddy District Intermediate Education Officer Venkaiah Naik stated that he plans to conduct a site visit to the college on Wednesday. His objective is to ensure that all certificates are handed over to the students, following specific directives issued by the District Collector Narayan Reddy. This intervention aims to resolve the impasse and prevent further disruptions while addressing the concerns of those whose higher education prospects were temporarily jeopardized by the administrative standoff.
