Parents and students in Hyderabad are up in arms over Telangana’s recent decision to enforce Telugu as a compulsory second language in all schools by the academic year 2025-26. The move has sparked protests as parents demand the freedom to choose the language of instruction for their children. Many argue that this mandate will place an unnecessary academic burden, especially on students following the CBSE curriculum. Concerns have been raised about the impact on non-native Telugu speakers and families that frequently relocate due to work or other reasons. The controversy has reignited the debate on language policies in education and the need for flexibility to accommodate diverse linguistic backgrounds. The protest highlights the deep-rooted emotions surrounding language and identity in a multicultural country like India. It remains to be seen how the authorities will address the grievances raised by the concerned parents and students as the implementation date draws closer.