TGHRC Intervenes as Administrative Chaos Leaves 120 Blind Students Homeless in Hyderabad

(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

HYDERABAD – The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken Suo motu cognisance (Case No. 231 of 2026) of a burgeoning humanitarian crisis involving the abrupt closure of government hostels for visually impaired students in Darulshifa (Boys) and Malakpet (Girls).

For the past 48 hours, these essential facilities have remained under lock and key, leaving students returning from the Sankranti holidays stranded after being actively advised by authorities not to return.

The crisis highlights a severe administrative breakdown affecting approximately 120 residents out of the 200 students enrolled in the Government Schools for the Blind.

While the academic side of the institution operates under the School Education Department, the residential hostels fall under the Department for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.

This dual-departmental control has resulted in a “responsibility vacuum.” Although a government order was issued in December 2025 to merge the hostels into the School Education Department, the transition has stalled.

The District Educational Officer (DEO) of Hyderabad has reportedly not yet assumed formal responsibility for the buildings, leaving the hostels unstaffed and the gates bolted.

Labelling the situation a prima facie denial of the right to shelter, food, and education, TGHRC Chairperson Dr. Shameem Akther has demanded a detailed report from the District Collector of Hyderabad.

The commission is set to hear the matter on February 16, 2026, as advocates and parents call for the immediate reopening of the premises to prevent further hardship for the vulnerable student body.

The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TGHRC), in its formal order taking Suo Motu Cognizance, has observed that the reported facts represent a “prima facie case of serious hardship” inflicted upon vulnerable children.

The Commission noted that by locking the doors of the Darulshifa and Malakpet hostels, the state has effectively denied these visually impaired students their basic needs, including safe shelter, adequate nutrition, and meaningful access to education.

Constitutional and Statutory Breaches

The Commission’s intervention is anchored in the bedrock of Indian Constitutional law. It has clarified that such deprivation—if proven—constitutes a direct assault on the fundamental rights of these students:

• Article 14 (Right to Equality): Highlighting the discriminatory nature of failing to provide promised support to persons with disabilities.
• Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity): Asserting that “life” is not merely biological existence but includes the right to a dignified living environment.
• Article 21-A (Right to Education): Emphasizing that without a place to stay, the children’s educational rights are rendered hollow and inaccessible.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: The Commission underscored that the state has a statutory mandate to provide specific protections and welfare facilities for visually impaired citizens, which have been blatantly ignored in this instance.

A Threat to Safety and Welfare

The TGHRC further remarked that for children with visual disabilities, a hostel is not just a building; it is a critical safety net.

Any disruption to these facilities does not merely cause an “inconvenience”—it directly jeopardizes their physical safety, personal welfare, and academic future.

The administrative confusion between departments cannot be used as a shield to justify the abandonment of these vulnerable citizens.

Directives to the District Administration

To ensure accountability, the Commission has issued a formal directive to the District Collector of Hyderabad. The Collector is mandated to submit a comprehensive factual report by the next hearing, specifically addressing:

The current physical status and accessibility of the Darulshifa and Malakpet hostels. The specific administrative bottlenecks or failures that led to the two-day lockout.

sThe status of the December 2025 transfer/merger orders between the Welfare and Education departments.

An immediate roadmap and proof of steps taken to ensure the uninterrupted functioning and reopening of the premises.

The matter is officially posted for a high-level hearing on February 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM.