Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has triggered a sharp political row after calling the current output of the state’s engineering education system a “criminal waste”. Speaking at an event in Hyderabad on Thursday, he said many engineering graduates cannot even write a basic job application and are unwilling to take up small jobs or learn new skills.
The opposition BRS and BJP quickly condemned the remarks, accusing the CM of insulting engineering students and their families. Revanth Reddy later clarified that he was criticising the education system, not the graduates themselves.
What Revanth Reddy said
At the Hyderabad event, Revanth Reddy highlighted the gap between degrees and employability:
- Around 1.10 lakh engineering students graduate every year in Telangana, he said.
- Many of them, he claimed, cannot write a simple job application on a plain sheet of paper.
- He said they refuse small jobs and do not learn new skills, calling this situation a “criminal waste” of talent and resources.
He later clarified: “I am not blaming the graduates. I am blaming the education system.”
BRS and BJP hit back
The BRS and BJP said the chief minister’s choice of words was harsh and demeaning.
- BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) questioned the basis for such a sweeping generalisation and said the remark hurt the sentiments of lakhs of students and their parents.
- Telangana BJP chief spokesperson N.V. Subhash said engineers are the backbone of the country’s development and accused the Congress government of repeatedly insulting students. He demanded an apology.
Both parties framed the comments as part of a pattern of “anti-student” statements from the ruling dispensation.
Wider context: Past remarks on engineers
Revanth Reddy has previously targeted retired engineers and technical experts in the context of irrigation projects and the Kaleshwaram controversy. He had accused some retired engineers of colluding with the earlier BRS government in alleged irregularities and even suggested they deserved jail and “belt treatment”. Those remarks had also drawn strong criticism from the opposition.
The latest controversy comes amid ongoing debates over:
- The quality of engineering education and accreditation
- Employability of graduates in a competitive job market
- The need for skill development and industry-aligned training in Telangana
Why this matters
Engineering colleges in Telangana and across India have faced growing scrutiny over outdated curricula, weak industry links and poor job outcomes. While the CM’s intent was to highlight systemic failures, the phrase “criminal waste” has overshadowed the policy message and become a flashpoint in state politics.
The row is likely to be used by the BRS and BJP to rally student and youth groups against the Congress government, especially ahead of future elections and local body polls.
What to watch next
- Whether Revanth Reddy offers a fuller clarification or softens his language
- Any follow-up from the BRS or BJP in the Assembly or through protests
- Whether the episode pushes the government to announce concrete steps on skill development, curriculum reform and industry tie-ups for engineering colleges
