Several students union representatives of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) were detained by the Osmania University police on Wednesday as they protested a talk by Telangana Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Lingam Sridhar on the university campus.

The protest was organised ahead of Sridhar’s talk, which was held under the banner of the Bhagath Singh Youth Club. Student organisations alleged that the event provided a platform for an RSS leader inside the university, and questioned the administration over how permission was granted for the programme.

According to students, those detained included EFLU Students’ Union president Harshad Shibin of independent student organisation Fraternity Movement, general secretary Irfan Shajudheen of the Muslim Students Federation, joint secretary Haleemathu Sa’adiya, sports secretary Udita (NSUI), and councillors Suaadha Sudheer and Ashmit. Other leaders include Noura Hanan, Maryam Nasiha, Yasir, Rasal, and Sreeja of Disha Student Organisation.

The students demanded an explanation from the university administration over the conduct of the programme. They alleged that the administration had previously denied permission for programmes involving academicians, human rights activists and student leaders, while allowing the RSS-linked event to take place.

“While the administration continues to deny permission for hosting renowned academicians, human rights activists and student leaders, they readily facilitate RSS leaders whose aim is the saffronisation of education,” the student organisations said in a statement.

The Fraternity Movement also condemned the detentions, saying that students had been detained ahead of their planned protest against Sridhar’s talk.