Sun Apr 06 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Telugu Language Policy Sparks Protest in Hyderabad
**Hyderabad, April 5, 2025** – Students and parents in Hyderabad staged a protest on Saturday against the Telangana government’s new language policy, which mandates Telugu as a compulsory subject for all students up to class 10, regardless of their board affiliation (CBSE, ICSE, IB, etc.), starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
The demonstration, held at Indira Park’s Dharna Chowk, saw participants carrying hand-drawn posters and placards expressing their concerns. Parents argued that forcing students to learn Telugu restricts their freedom of choice and may hinder their academic and professional prospects, particularly if they relocate to another state. One parent highlighted the potential difficulties faced by a child learning Telugu as a third language, questioning the practicality of the policy in such circumstances.
A ninth-grade student voiced anxieties about her ability to pass a Telugu exam, having never previously studied the language, and the potential impact on her overall board results. Protesters emphasized that language should be a tool for empowerment, not division, and called for a more flexible policy allowing students to choose a second language based on their individual needs and aspirations. The group urged the government to reconsider the mandatory Telugu policy.
First Piper 