Centre denies US clearance to Revanth Reddy, IOC USA alleges double standard

The Centre denied political clearance for Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's planned US visit. The decision has sparked charges of double standards even as Telangana's academic outreach continues through officials.

In Short

• IOC USA Telangana chapter criticised the Centre over denied political clearance
• MEA said the proposed American programme did not suit his office
• Reddy said the trip aimed to attract top universities to Hyderabad

The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA Telangana Chapter on Saturday said it was "deeply disappointed" by the Centre's decision to deny political clearance to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his planned visit to the United States. Reddy, who is currently in London, was scheduled to travel to the US after concluding his UK visit on August 23.

The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that it assesses visits by chief ministers and other dignitaries before granting political clearance. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi, "The programme proposed in such cases should be appropriate to the office held and the purpose of the visit. In this particular case, that was not so in respect of the US." He added, "Therefore, clearance has not been given. Incidentally, his visit to the UK has been cleared."

In its statement, the IOC USA Telangana Chapter said Reddy's planned US tour had included a major public reception in New York and high-level engagements with leading American academic institutions. It said the main aim of the visit was to support Telangana's effort to make Hyderabad a global centre for education, innovation, skills and research through partnerships with some of the world's leading universities.

Responding to the MEA's decision, Reddy said the only purpose of his US visit was, "as part of the New Education Policy of the Centre, bring the world's best institutions to India, to Telangana and to Hyderabad". He said, "They would have been an answer to our youth's aspirations to get education, skills, and training from the best Ivy Leagues and top global institutions. I have always believed we should all think beyond politics and elections when it comes to nation-building and the future of the youth."

George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of IOC-USA, said efforts to advance education, employment, investment and opportunities for India's youth must remain above partisan politics. He also questioned the denial of clearance to the Telangana Chief Minister while the Gujarat Chief Minister was permitted to visit the United States, and called it a "troubling and unmistakable double standard".

The Telangana Chapter said Reddy had asked the state government's delegation of officials to proceed to the United States as scheduled and continue the planned engagements. According to the statement, the delegation is expected to pursue scheduled memorandums of understanding and partnership initiatives with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and Virginia Tech.

IOC USA President Mohinder Singh Gilzian, Working President, IOC USA National, Pradeep Samala, Telangana Chapter Chairman Rammohan Gadula, Telangana Chapter President Rajeshwar Reddy Gangasani, IOC USA National General Secretary Sharath Chandra Vemuganti and Telangana Chapter General Secretary Narendar Yelmareddy said thousands of members of the Indian diaspora from the state had registered within hours to welcome Reddy in the US. The organisation said, "The IOC USA strongly condemns the use of political or administrative mechanisms to impede legitimate initiatives aimed at promoting education, investment, innovation, and economic development. Political rivalry should end where the interests of India's youth and the development of its states begin."

The IOC USA also said it "stands firmly with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his vision of transforming Telangana into a globally competitive destination for education, technology, innovation, investment, and skills development". It added, "Political clearance may be denied, but Telangana's aspirations cannot be denied. The momentum behind #TelanganaRising will continue." In summary, the controversy centres on the Centre's refusal to clear Reddy's US visit even as his delegation is set to carry forward the planned academic and institutional engagements.

With PTI Inputs

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