Osmania University in Crisis: Hostel Horrors Exposed as CM Revanth Reddy Calls for Intellectual Revival
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy Monday said the standard of Osmania University will be raised to that of Stanford and Oxford, the two premiere educational institutions. He also ensured to make universities and colleges in the state drug-free.
Osmania University sanitation issues
From flooded rooms and electric shocks to lack of clean drinking water, problems are abundant for Osmania University (OU) hostel students.
At the E1 hostel, meant for law college students, every downpour leaves rooms waterlogged while students risk shocks from moist switchboards. The worsening structure, a Nizam-era horse stable later converted into a hostel with asbestos sheets, now exposes students to severe risks. In several rooms, cardboard sheets placed to cover aging asbestos have collapsed, allowing rainwater to pour directly into living spaces.
Osmania University Students Struggle With Shocks, Sanitation & Scarcity
For students of Osmania University, daily life inside hostels is nothing short of a nightmare.
Rohith, a resident, revealed the grave danger they face:
“As rainwater seeps into the switchboards, we often get electric shocks while switching on lights or fans. We avoid using them during rain.”
The problems don't end there. With the water purifier lying difunctional, students are forced to carry bottles and cans from the mess. "Despite repeated complaints, nothing has been fixed," said Venkatesh.
Sanitation is another urgent concern. Shockingly, one washroom caters to approximately 120 students, and that too often remains locked due to sewer works. “Sometimes we are forced to relieve ourselves in the open,” admitted Krishna M, a fourth-year law student.
CM Revanth Reddy at OU: A Historic Visit After a Decade
On August 25, 2025, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited Osmania University, marking the first CM address at the campus since Telangana’s formation in 2014. Former CM KCR had avoided an address in 2017 due to security concerns.
Calling OU the “soul of Telangana”, Mr. Reddy said:
“This university is not separate from Telangana. Osmania University and Telangana are like conjoined twins.”
He inaugurated two state-of-the-art hostels — Dhundubhi and Bhima — built at a cost of ₹80 crore to house 1,000 students. He also laid the foundation stone for new hostels and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Library Reading Hall.
Controversy Over Heavy Security
While the event was hailed as historic, it wasn't without criticism. Students and opposition leaders slammed the barricading and detentions of student leaders. Social media buzzed with debates on whether the visit truly represented student freedom.
Addressing the concerns, Reddy promised that during his December “Miracle Month” tour, he would return to the campus without a single police barricade:
“Let me talk directly to my brothers and sisters. I may lack answers to all questions, but I have the will to listen.”
Reviving OU’s Glory: “Anything and Everything”
The CM didn’t hold back in criticizing the decline of Osmania University, once a cradle of intellect that produced stalwarts like P.V. Narasimha Rao, Shivraj Patil, Marri Chenna Reddy, Jaipal Reddy, and George Reddy.
“I will do anything and everything for Osmania University. You make your plans, and I will approve them.”
He instructed officials to set up a committee of engineers to devise a comprehensive development roadmap.
New Fellowships for Students
In a major boost for research and higher education, Reddy announced two fellowships:
Chief Minister’s Ph.D. Fellowship for up to 200 full-time scholars, funded by Singareni Collieries.
Overseas Fellowship for PG and Ph.D. students, supported by HMDA-MAUD.
The Bigger Picture: Hope Amid Decay
Osmia University has long been the nerve center of Telangana's political and intellectual movements. Still today, its students live with flooding, broken sanitation, and unsafe hostels.
CM Revanth Reddy's visit has rekindled hope, but students are waiting to see if promises translate into action. Till then, their struggles remain a stark reminder of the gap between the institution’s glorious past and its challenging present.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What problems are Osmania University hostel students facing?
Students at Osmania University hostels face flooded rooms, electric shocks from damp switchboards, lack of clean drinking water, and poor sanitation. In the E1 hostel, one washroom is shared by nearly 120 students, forcing some to relieve themselves in the open.
2. What did CM Revanth Reddy say about Osmania University?
During his historic visit on August 25, 2025, CM A. Revanth Reddy called OU the “soul of Telangana” and promised to raise its standards to that of Stanford and Oxford. He also pledged to make universities across Telangana drug-free zones.
3. What new facilities were inaugurated at Osmania University?
CM Reddy inaugurated two new hostels — Dhundubhi and Bhima — costing ₹80 crore, which will accommodate 1,000 students. He also laid the foundation stone for new hostels and the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Library Reading Hall.
4. Why was Revanth Reddy’s visit considered historic?
It was the first time since Telangana’s formation in 2014 that a Chief Minister directly addressed the OU community. The last CM visit in 2017 (KCR) ended without an address due to security concerns.
5. What fellowships were announced for students?
Two new fellowships were launched:
Chief Minister’s Ph.D. Fellowship for up to 200 full-time scholars, funded by Singareni Collieries.
Overseas Fellowship for PG and Ph.D. students, supported by HMDA-MAUD.
6. How did people react to the CM’s visit?
While many welcomed the initiatives, students and opposition leaders criticized the heavy police barricading and detention of student leaders during the visit. CM Reddy assured that in his December “Miracle Month” visit, there would be no police presence on campus.
7. Why is Osmania University important in Telangana’s history?
Founded in 1918, OU has been the nerve center of Telangana’s intellectual and political movements, producing leaders like P.V. Narasimha Rao, Marri Chenna Reddy, Jaipal Reddy, and George Reddy. It played a key role in the separate Telangana statehood agitation.
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