Tirupati: Controversy is brewing over the proposed allocation of 13.53 acres of land owned by Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) in Tirupati to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for establishment of the Sampradaya Patashala for Girls Vedic Education, which would be run by Kanchi Mutt. Student unions, particularly the Students' Federation of India (SFI), are strongly opposing the move. They are concerned that this would significantly impact future development of the university. They point out that the SVU campus area has already become reduced by half of its original size.
Students’ unions appear quite serious. They are likely to take to the streets. Sources said TTD authorities wrote a letter to the university officials on October 27, 2023, requesting for allocation of a 13.53-acre piece of SVU land in survey number 588A, so that the Kanchi Mutt could start the Sampradaya Patasala. SVU authorities responded saying they had no objection. They went on to mention that the said piece of land had been proposed for a Health Hub to be established by district authorities. But the hub did not materialise. When the SFI came to know about the no objection, it took strong exception. It went on to submit a petition to SVU registrar O.M.D. Hussain, saying it is unreasonable to provide a no-objection letter to TTD for allocation of land belonging to Sri Venkateswara University. SFI district general secretary N. Madhav demanded that SVU withdraw their no objection immediately. "Of the 1,200 acres of land that TTD allocated for locating SVU, about 600 acres is remaining. Near half of the university’s land has been allocated to different organizations for various purposes," he pointed out. “The varsity authorities are acting arbitrarily against the opinions of students and staff in many matters like agreeing to allot land for Municipal Corporation of Tirupati’s proposed master plan roads, unofficial construction of the municipal commissioner’s guest house, and also for additional cell phone towers", he alleged. SFI leaders regretted that university authorities are taking decisions without considering the long-term consequences, forgetting that the institution is permanent, but not their posts. They said they are mobilising opinion among students, faculty, and non-teaching staff about launching sustained agitations to conserve university lands.
