The situation in Telangana’s residential institutions (Gurukuls), which thrived during KCR’s tenure, has recently become a matter of grave concern. Reports of food poisoning, student suicides, and other serious issues are emerging at an alarming rate. The situation is similar across various Gurukuls, including those for social welfare, minorities, and backward classes.
A spate of incidents in the recent past highlights the severity of the situation:
- January 22: Bhargavi, a 9th-grade student at Kondamallepalli SC Gurukul in Nalgonda district, collapsed during prayer and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
- February 4: Bhavya and Vaishnavi, 10th-grade students at Habsiguda SC Gurukul in Bhongir, both committed suicide on the same day.
- February 10: Vaishnavi, an intermediate student at Imampeta SC Gurukul, died under suspicious circumstances in Suryapet.
- February 18: Another student from the same Gurukul committed suicide.
- April 16: A student named Prashant died of food poisoning at the Social Welfare Boys’ Gurukul in Bhongir.
- July 12: Burra Lidiya, a 5th-grade student from Garibpet, Kothagudem district, fell ill with a severe fever that led to her unexpected death.
- August 8: Students at Nancharla Social Welfare Girls Gurukul, Mahbubnagar, fell ill due to food poisoning, and Koyyada Karthikashri, a 9th-grade student at Telangana Social Welfare Girls’ Gurukul in Mulugu district, attempted suicide.
- August 9: Admala Anirudh, an 11-year-old 6th-grade student at Peddapur Gurukul School in Jagtial district, died, and other students also fell ill.
- July 26: Advaith, an 8th-grade student at the same Gurukul, also died after falling ill.
Student unions argue that the poor quality of food, stemming from inadequate diet charges and substandard supplies, is a major factor in the frequent food poisoning incidents. Critics also argue that the students are being overburdened, leaving them with minimal personal time.
Despite the frequency of these incidents, the response from the Congress government has been unsatisfactory. The opposition and student leaders express frustration at what they see as a lack of genuine effort to address these issues.