Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday criticised the proposed demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh, calling the decision “perverse” and urging the authorities to avoid destroying a functioning educational institution.
The remarks came after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) ordered the demolition of 38 out of 40 buildings at the university, alleging they were constructed without approved building plans.
The university, founded by jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, has challenged the action, arguing that the campus was outside the RDA’s jurisdiction when the buildings were constructed. The authority, however, has rejected this claim.
Reacting to the development, Tharoor said Uttar Pradesh already faces a shortage of quality higher education institutions and that demolishing most of the university’s infrastructure would be unjustified.
“Bulldozing 38 out of 40 buildings of Mohd Ali Jauhar University, in a state with a dearth of quality institutions of higher education, is a perverse decision,” Tharoor wrote in a post on X.
He argued that if there were violations in the construction process, the authorities should consider alternative legal measures instead of demolishing the university.
“If construction was illegal, find other punishments — fines, other punitive measures, even government takeover — but do not destroy a functioning university that UP needs!” the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.
The demolition order has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the proportionality of the action and expressing concern over its impact on students enrolled at the university.
The matter is currently under legal challenge after the university management appealed against the demolition order before the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court, which is scheduled to hear the case on July 28.
