Telangana BJP leaders on Friday strongly criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over his remarks on engineering education, alleging that he had insulted an entire community of technical professionals and students.In separate statements, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao and other party leaders said the Chief Minister, who also holds the Education portfolio, had no moral right to describe engineering students as ‘criminal waste’. The remark was not only insensitive but also an insult to lakhs of students, their families and engineers who have brought recognition to Telangana and India through their contributions, they said.Mr. Kishan Reddy strongly condmening the comments, said similar rhetoric had been used by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Whether under the BRS or Congress, successive governments had failed to recognise the talent and potential of Telangana’s youth, choosing instead to belittle and demoralise them, he alleged.Telangana’s engineers had built successful careers across the world, driven technological innovation, founded globally recognised companies and strengthened India’s reputation as a technology powerhouse. Instead of celebrating these achievements and inspiring the next generation, the Chief Minister had chosen to ridicule an entire community of aspiring professionals, he said.Mr. Ramchander Rao, who is currently in the United States, demanded that Mr. Revanth Reddy immediately apologise to the student community, particularly engineering students, for his comments. He alleged that the Chief Minister had demeaned the education system through his remarks and accused him of threatening college managements on the one hand and insulting students on the other over the issue of fee reimbursements. He warned that the BJP would launch an agitation if the comments were not withdrawn. Published - July 31, 2026 08:30 pm IST