Former Minister Harish Rao was placed under house arrest at his Kokapet residence as police intervened to prevent him from attending a polytechnic student demonstration against GO 97 in Warangal.
Preventive Action at Kokapet Residence
Police authorities took preventive action on Thursday morning by placing former Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Harish Rao under house arrest at his residence in Kokapet. The move came as the senior politician was preparing to travel to Warangal district to express solidarity with polytechnic college students who have been actively protesting against the state government's controversial Government Order 97 (GO 97).
Security forces deployed around his home early in the day, restricting his movement and preventing him from leaving the premises to join the ongoing student demonstrations.
Escalating Protests Over GO 97
The detention stems from mounting friction surrounding GO 97, a mandate issued by the government that has drawn heavy backlash from polytechnic diploma students across the state. Student unions and college cohorts have been conducting rallies, sit-ins, and demonstrations over the past several days, demanding the immediate repeal and complete cancellation of the policy.
Protesters argue that GO 97 severely undermines the existing polytechnic education framework in Telangana, creating widespread uncertainty among current students and future aspirants.
Concerns Surrounding Young India Skills University
At the core of the agitation is the government's proposed plan to integrate standard polytechnic diploma programs into the newly established Young India Skills University. Protesting student groups have publicly strongly condemned the move, labeling it an ill-considered decision that threatens to disrupt standard diploma curricula, compromise academic standards, and diminish the standing of technical diploma qualifications.
Student representatives maintain that merging polytechnic streams into the skills university framework reflects a lack of long-term vision, leaving students anxious about their academic futures, degree equivalence, and career prospects.
Opposition Support and Political Standoff
As public outcry continues to intensify across various districts, opposition leaders have increasingly stepped forward to back the student movement. Harish Rao’s planned trip to Warangal was intended to provide political support to the student groups, highlight their grievances, and pressure the administration into withdrawing the order. However, the intervention by law enforcement highlights the growing political tension surrounding the issue.
Despite the house arrest of key political figures trying to join the cause, student leaders have affirmed that their demonstrations will persist until the government formally rescinds GO 97 and offers clear reassurances regarding the future of polytechnic education.
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