On March 30, 2025, journalist Sumit Jha from the news outlet South First was detained by Hyderabad police while covering student-led environmental protests at the University of Hyderabad. The demonstrations were in response to the Telangana government’s decision to clear 400 acres of forested land adjacent to the university campus for auction, potentially for IT development.
The protests intensified when bulldozers arrived on campus to commence land clearing. Students, fearing irreversible environmental damage, attempted to halt the machinery and were met with police intervention. During the confrontation, Jha, despite presenting his press credentials, was detained alongside the protesters. He reported that his phone was confiscated, and he was taken to a police station before being released later that day.
The incident drew criticism from various quarters. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) condemned Jha’s detention, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists to report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisal.
Political figures also weighed in. KT Rama Rao, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), criticized the Congress-led Telangana government for suppressing free speech and detaining journalists. He highlighted the broader implications of such actions on democratic values and the freedom of the press.
The detention of Sumit Jha underscores the challenges faced by journalists in India, especially when reporting on environmental issues and governmental actions. It raises concerns about the state’s commitment to press freedom and the protection of journalists covering contentious events.
