Osmania University Students Protest After Student Hangs Himself in Hostel

On the afternoon of Sunday, 3 December, Eramaina Murali, a first year MSc Physics student of Osmania University committed suicide in a washroom in the varsity’s Maneru Hostel. Large number of students of the University came out in protest, after which, on Monday, the police cracked down and arrested over a hundred of them from campus premises.

Murali, a first-generation student, hailed from Dulapur village in Jagadevpur Mandal, Medak district.

While student's organisations in the campus are arguing that unemployment in Telangana has forced Murali to take the extreme step, MSc students,who also held a separate protest on Monday said that ‘academic pressure’ in the department was a reason for Murali’s suicide. A suicide note retrieved from the pocket of Murali has reportedly indicated that he has been undergoing tension in regard to his studies.

"I am unable to continue my studies. The exams are around the corner and I am scared that I will fail. I never wanted to fail in exams. Therefore, I have decided to end my life."Murali reportedly wrote in his suicide note.

However, student groups have alleged that the suicide note has been forged and argued that Murali used to tell his friends about his fear of not getting a job.

On Monday, about a hundred protesting students were picked up from the campus premises and taken away by the Telangana Police. Among them, reportedly, cases were filed against 22 students on various charges including damaging public property while others were released on the same night.

On 4 December, a protest gathering called Koluvula Kotlaata (Fight for Employment), organized by Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), was held in Hyderabad. In the gathering of thousands of youth and students, condolences to Murali were paid. TJAC chairman Kodandaram alleged that the state government’s failure in keeping the promise to provide jobs has led to frustration among youth and students.

Students of Osmania University have been at the forefront in the movement for the formation of separate Telangana state. Arunank, a member of Democratic Students Union in the campus alleged that the Telangana Government has been neglecting the development of the University resulting in degrading conditions of education in the University. He said that the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has been considering the University as his enemy despite knowing the role of the students in the formation of the state.

Speaking to Newsclick, Arunank said “Earlier, university students Isanth Reddy and Venugopal Reddy who were part of Telangana state formation movement have committed suicide inside the campus. Murali’s suicide is the first incident after the state was formed.”

He added that the University has been facing a huge financial crisis. The budget released by the University is only enough for paying the salaries and pensions of the employees and the students education is being affected.

Telangana Government has reportedly announced Rs 5 lakh amount to Murali’s family.