RGUKT-Basar Declares Holidays Amidst Protests

In response to ongoing student protests, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), Basar, has announced temporary holidays for its Pre-University Course (PUC) first- and second-year students, as well as engineering first- and second-year students, effective March 23.

According to a statement released today, the university officials said that the decision was taken to prevent disruption to the academic schedule due to protests over alleged deficiencies in on-campus medical facilities, particularly following the death of a student.

The university said that the date for the resumption of classes would be communicated later, and advised students to use the break productively.

The protests were triggered by the death of Mallipudi Tejashwini, a PUC second-year student from Medak district.

Tejashwini, 17, a resident of Ramachandrapuram in Medak district, succumbed to leukemia on March 16 while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.

The students began protesting on March 17, citing inadequate medical facilities and demanding compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Tejashwini's family. Demonstrations, including slogan-shouting and calls for justice, were held at the Vice-Chancellor's office.

Tejashwini's parents have urged the government to ensure justice and adequate compensation. They also staged a sit-in protest at the RGUKT entrance on Friday.