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Protest Held at MANUU Against Engagements with Israeli Companies; Telangana Government Asked to Answer
Global partnerships must be based on the principles of justice and humanity, not solely economic interests.
Students at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) protest against alleged engagements with Israeli companies, calling on the Telangana government for answers.
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PRESS RELEASE
15 November 2026 | Hyderabad: A protest was held today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, following a call by the MANUU Students Collective (MSC). Students and representatives of various student organisations participated in the protest and raised their voices against the engagement with Israeli companies through a programme being facilitated by the Telangana government at T-Hub.
The protesters questioned how the Revanth Reddy\-led Telangana government could host and facilitate business and technology engagements with Israeli companies at a time when Israel’s military actions in Palestine have resulted in widespread devastation and serious allegations of genocide and violations of international law.
Student leader Swaleh Ansari, while addressing the gathering, said:
“We are not against global partnerships. However, if individuals and companies associated with the killing and destruction of innocent Palestinians become part of such partnerships, we will oppose them and question the government. What kind of hypocrisy is this? On the one hand, the Congress party speaks about standing with Palestine, while on the other hand, platforms are being provided in the name of technology and business to entities facing serious questions over their links with Israel’s military actions. India is the land of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Gandhi, and it cannot become a part of any genocide.”
He also raised questions before AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, asking what his and his party’s position was on the Telangana government’s engagement with companies facing allegations of links to military operations against Palestinians, while advocating Muslim political representation in other states.
SIO MANUU Unit President Ikram Ul Haque condemned the Telangana government’s move and said that serious concerns raised by human rights organisations cannot be ignored. He stated that such an approach by the Government of India and the Telangana government was unacceptable and that students and civil society would continue to raise their voices against it.
Ibrahim Junaidi of the MANUU Students Collective (MSC) said that programmes such as those being organised at T-Hub should not be viewed merely as technological development. He said it was essential to examine the nature of the participating companies, their technologies and their possible links to military operations and human rights violations. He also raised concerns regarding the participation of Israeli companies and the expansion of defence-technology cooperation through initiatives such as DRISHTI 2.0, stating that such engagements should not proceed without an independent examination.
Sara Talib Khan, President of Girls Islamic Organisation, MANUU Unit, remembered those who lost their lives in Palestine and said that society must reflect upon its moral responsibility before engaging with companies and institutions accused of contributing to human rights violations. She stated that students would not accept any compromise on the principles of humanity and justice.
Hazra, Joint Secretary of the MANUU Students Union, also participated in the protest and extended support to the programme while condemning the Telangana government’s move. Hazra said that students must raise their voices on issues concerning humanity, justice and the rights of the Palestinian people.
Aurangzeb Khan of AUSF spoke in detail about India’s historical position and its tradition of solidarity with Palestine. He said that India should prioritise humanity, justice and international humanitarian values in its global partnerships.
Abid Raza from the ANSA panel and Dayyan from ASL (Department of MCJ) also addressed the gathering and called for standing with Palestine on the basis of humanity and raising questions regarding companies accused of being connected with or facilitating violence and violations against Palestinians.
The protesters demanded an independent and transparent human rights assessment of the Israeli companies participating in the proposed programme, particularly regarding their possible links with military activities and human rights violations. They demanded that participation and business engagements be put on hold until such an assessment is completed.
The gathering also emphasised that India’s global partnerships should not be determined solely by economic interests but must take into account justice, humanity, human rights and international standards. Any business or technology partnership, the protesters said, must ensure that it does not directly or indirectly contribute to human rights violations, military violence or genocide.
The protesters made it clear that they are not opposed to technological development or international cooperation. Their demand is that global partnerships must be based on the principles of justice and humanity.
— MANUU Students Collective (MSC)
Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad
