CJP Backs Hyderabad Polytechnic Stir, Demands Scrapping of GO 97

HYDERABAD — The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has stepped into Telangana's escalating student agitation, throwing its organisational weight behind diploma students demonstrating at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad against Government Order (GO) No. 97. The contentious order seeks to restructure state polytechnic institutions under the newly constituted Young India Skills University (YISU).

The intervention marks CJP's first direct field mobilisation in Telangana following its summer-long protest campaign in New Delhi over the NEET exam-leak controversy. Speaking to hundreds of engineering diploma candidates via video link from Maharashtra, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke warned the state administration that the outfit will mobilise across southern states if police action against peaceful demonstrators continues.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and will strongly oppose any unlawful cases filed against students for exercising their democratic right to protest," Dipke told the crowd. "If the government fails to address these grievances or attempts to suppress this agitation, I will travel to Telangana and join the protesters in person."

During the interaction, Dipke spoke with several students who alleged they sustained injuries during recent police crackdowns at college gates across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, condemning the use of force on demonstrators.

The Battle Over GO 97 and Diploma Identity

The flashpoint centers on GO 97, issued by the Telangana Department of Technical Education under the state's newly formed Shakti department. The decree plans to bring government polytechnic colleges under Young India Skills University, an institution set up on a public-private partnership (PPP) model under legislation passed earlier this year.

Students argue the restructuring threatens the integrity of their technical qualification. A polytechnic diploma operates as a distinct three-year academic qualification recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), with curricula governed by the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET). Protesters fear that subsuming polytechnics into a skill university risks diluting their diplomas into short-term vocational ITI courses, potentially jeopardising their eligibility for lateral entry into second-year B.Tech programmes via the Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET).

Addressing demonstrators at Dharna Chowk, CJP national media and south zone lead Vijay Mallangi accused the state government of undermining technical aspirants without legislative or institutional consultation.

"The government negligence and G.O. 97 are pushing aspiring mechanical, electrical, communication, and civil engineering professionals toward manual labour, instead of skilled careers," Mallangi said. "Decisions affecting hundreds of thousands of diploma holders cannot be pushed through behind closed doors without stakeholder involvement."

Student opposition has spilled across multiple campuses over the past fortnight. Demonstrations erupted at Government Polytechnic Ramanthapur, Government Institute of Electronics in Secunderabad, and Sangeet Crossroads, with student groups laying siege to the district collectorate in Mahabubabad. Opposition parties including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and student bodies like the Students' Federation of India (SFI) have also demanded the immediate repeal of the order, warning against the back-door privatisation of public polytechnic assets.

CJP's Four Demands

In a formal resolution adopted alongside student representatives at Dharna Chowk, CJP outlined four non-negotiable terms to resolve the standoff:

1. Immediate revocation of GO 97: Complete withdrawal of the notification seeking to merge polytechnics with Young India Skills University.
2. Student representation: Mandatory inclusion of elected diploma student representatives on any review panel appointed to assess technical education reforms.
3. Protection against legal intimidation: Unconditional withdrawal of police complaints, preventive detention notices, and charges framed against students participating in demonstrations.
4. Structured government dialogue: Immediate initiation of open, recorded negotiations between senior technical education officials, student delegates, and faculty representatives.

Mallangi urged students to sustain non-violent picket lines across polytechnic campuses while CJP volunteers coordinate legal assistance for detainees.

What we can verify

• CJP backing at Dharna Chowk: CJP officially joined the polytechnic student demonstration in Hyderabad on September 3, with founder Abhijeet Dipke addressing attendees via video link. — The Hindu
• Dipke's pledge to visit: Dipke confirmed he will travel to Telangana to join street protests if the state government ignores student demands or persists with police crackdowns. — The Hindu
• Four core demands outlined: CJP and student leaders formally presented four demands: repeal of GO 97, student presence on the review panel, withdrawal of police cases, and institutional talks. — The Hindu
• Widespread campus protests: Demonstrations against GO 97 occurred across Ramanthapur, Secunderabad, and Mahabubabad over fears that polytechnics will lose AICTE standing and ECET lateral-entry privileges. — Telangana Today; The Hindu
• Broad political opposition: SFI and BRS leadership have also staged demonstrations demanding the retention of the independent SBTET polytechnic system. — Hyderabad Mail; Telangana Today

What remains unverified

• Terms of state review committee: While the Telangana administration previously indicated a committee would review student representations regarding GO 97, official government orders notifying its composition or granting formal student representation have not been publicly gazetted. — [unverified]
• Specific headcount of injured students: Protesters reported injuries and breathlessness following scuffles with police in Secunderabad and Mahabubabad; hospital admission figures and medico-legal reports have not been released by police or health authorities. — [unverified]