Protests erupt over renaming of NTR health university after YSR

Vijayawada: Protests rose after the State Government's move to rename Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS) as Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences. During the last day of the ninth session of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly on Wednesday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs protested at the Speaker's podium, holding placards with slogans ' 'NTR Amar Rahe', 'Johar NTR'. On the other side, it was an interesting and shocking time for the opposition after Minister of Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department Vidadala Rajini showed private conversation of N Chandra Babu Naidu and Radha Krishna of ABN channel on changing the name of NTR Aarogyasri and revamping total health system.

The Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed in the House, the MLA threw pieces of paper on the Speaker Thammineni Seetharam, who announced a break for some time. Speaking at the House, Minister for Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department Vidadala Rajini said that the opposition does not have the right to speak about NTR. "Chandra Babu Naidu himself has no respect towards NTR, which can be seen in the video. The MLA's in the House are showing drama, just to disrupt the sessions", said the Minister.

Speaking at the House, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "I have more respect for NTR than Chandra Babu Naidu. As promised during Pada Yatra, I changed the name of Krishna district to NTR district. The irony is Mr. Naidu doesn't like it if we raise NTR's name, and if Mr. Naidu raises his name, NTR doesn't like it. If Mr. Naidu would have backstabbed NTR, he would have lived long".

"There are 11 medical colleges in the state, of which 8 were established before TDP's regime, while three medical colleges came during the YSRCP regime. Another 17 medical colleges are underway now. Since 1983, there is no history of the TDP rule of establishing at least one medical college. We will soon have a total of 28 colleges of which 20 are being established by the YSRCP", said Mr. Jagan. CM welcomed the opposition TDP to give a proposal of naming NTR's name for the college built during TDP's regime, for which the state government is ready to do.

Protests at the University

On the other side, some of the TDP leaders protested at the NTRUHS campus, questioning how the hospital was established 36 years ago, with a vision of TDP founder president N.T. Rama Rao can be so easily changed.

Tension prevailed in the campus areas after the protestors slept on the road and blocked the traffic. The police forcibly took them into the police van.