Shabbir Ali reaffirms Congress minority education legacy
Hyderabad: Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir asserted that Congress laid the foundation for the minority education legacy in Telangana. He linked the Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society directly to the policy framework established in 2007 under Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. Shabbir accused the BRS government of simply rebranding the Congress initiative without committing to the necessary permanent infrastructure. Now, under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the government revived that original vision through targeted investments and expansions.
Shabbir delivered these remarks at Udaan 2025, held at Banjara Bhavan. The ceremony celebrated TMREIS students who achieved admissions to MBBS, BDS, and IIT programs. Minority Welfare Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar presided over the event, with TMREIS President Md Faheem Qureshi, Minority Welfare Secretary Md Shafiullah, and other senior officials in attendance.
Congress formalized minority education through a sequence of government orders starting in 2006. The process began with GO Ms. No. 34 on November 20, 2006, which established 12 pre-matric hostels for Muslim boys across districts such as Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad, Medak, Adilabad, and Mahabubnagar. This was followed by GO Ms. No. 19 on July 16, 2007, sanctioning post-matric hostels in 13 districts. Then, GO Ms. No. 20 on July 17, 2007, approved 12 English Medium Residential Schools for minority students in locations including Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad, Medak, Wanaparthy, Warangal, and Nalgonda.
The original Congress plan emphasized permanent buildings equipped with comprehensive facilities to ensure long-term stability and quality. However, during the BRS’s ten-year tenure, progress stalled significantly. Only 13 schools functioned from their own dedicated premises, while 17 relied on government buildings and a staggering 204 operated out of rented spaces, highlighting a lack of investment in infrastructure.
Revanth Reddy revives minority education legacy after BRS neglect
Under Revanth Reddy’s leadership, the Congress government moved swiftly to address these shortcomings. Officials identified 80 land parcels specifically for constructing permanent TMREIS campuses, a direct nod to the YSR-era vision of providing minorities with dignified, accessible education. This initiative aimed to shift away from temporary arrangements and build lasting institutions.
Shabbir extended congratulations to the TMREIS students for their impressive accomplishments. This year alone, they secured 36 free MBBS seats, two BDS seats, and multiple IIT admissions. He lauded the efforts of teachers, principals, and support staff, crediting them for nurturing talent within the system. TMREIS stood out as a disciplined, secure, and holistic residential network that encouraged not just academic excellence but also leadership skills and personal development. “These students are the pride of Telangana’s minority community and a reminder of what visionary policy can achieve,” Shabbir said.
The current administration also tackled broader educational reversals inherited from the BRS period. More than 80 percent of minority engineering and professional colleges had shuttered under the previous regime. In less than a year, Revanth Reddy’s team added 2,200 engineering seats in minority institutions, sanctioned a new minority law college, approved two pharmacy colleges, and bolstered TMREIS operations throughout the districts. These steps marked a comprehensive effort to restore vitality to minority education.
Shabbir expressed firm confidence that Congress would fully reinstate TMREIS to its intended purpose, centered on high-quality education supported by permanent infrastructure and inclusive opportunities for every student. He connected the recent student successes directly to these foundational policies, noting how the felicitation event underscored the impact of sustained dedication from educators and administrators.
Shabbir elaborated on the historical policy timeline to illustrate the depth of the Congress commitment. The series of government orders not only laid the groundwork but also expanded access through pre-matric and post-matric hostels, while residential schools focused on English medium education to equip students for competitive futures. In contrast, the BRS oversight led to a predominance of rented facilities, with own premises remaining rare and government structures serving as makeshift solutions.
This pattern of neglect ended with the land allocation under Revanth Reddy, which represented a strong pledge to development. The 80 parcels were earmarked for campuses that would offer full amenities, ensuring students benefited from stable environments. Ultimately, the students themselves embodied this enduring minority education legacy, their admissions revealing untapped potential fueled by committed teachers and principled leadership. Secure settings allowed for focused academic pursuits, while holistic programs incorporated leadership training and emphasized core excellence. The Congress strategy, once interrupted by BRS, now thrived again under Revanth Reddy’s guidance.
About The Author
