Telangana College Event Curbs: Film Promotions May Be Barred on Campus

The Telangana government is drafting guidelines that could bar film promotions and other commercial events on college campuses and make institutions give advance notice of any large gathering, Deccan Chronicle reported on 10 November, citing official sources. The review in Hyderabad follows the death of a first-year student at MVSR Engineering College on 17 October, when a lighting structure collapsed during a Dandiya night. Formal guidelines are expected soon, but nothing has been notified yet.

Advance Notice for Large Gatherings

Under the proposal, campuses would be kept mainly for educational and sporting activity. A college planning a large event would have to tell the local education authority or police beforehand and give details on expected attendance, stage construction, crowd movement and fire safety. Smaller student events showcasing sport, art and culture would not be affected, the report said.

Officials have also noted reports that some private colleges hosted film screenings and declared holidays so students could attend.

Also read Student Killed, 14 Hurt as Arch Collapses at Hyderabad Dandiya Event

A Fatal Fest and a Notice Over a Film Holiday

At the MVSR fest, a lighting truss fell on the crowd at about 7:30 pm. The college’s director of academics said about nine of the injured students were admitted to a private hospital and were out of danger, The News Minute reported. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy told officials to identify those responsible and act.

The Telangana Council of Higher Education has been working on a wider framework. Its chairman, V Balakista Reddy, told Deccan Chronicle in October that a draft Telangana Events Facilitation and Safety Bill, 2026 was under study. It proposes risk ratings for events, safety certificates for venues and written safety plans from organisers. He said it had not become law.

On 30 October the council also moved to issue a notice to Malla Reddy Deemed University, which had declared a holiday and postponed classes and exams for a film promotion, according to Deccan Chronicle. The student body SFI had complained and sought an inquiry.

Guidelines Still to Be Notified

No date has been given for the guidelines or the bill. It is not yet clear whether the ban on film promotions would apply to private universities as well as colleges, or what penalty a college would face for breaking the rules. More on the state is on the Telangana tag page, and earlier coverage includes the crop loan restructuring order for drought mandals.

Source: Based on reporting by Deccan Chronicle and The News Minute.

Image: The News Minute.