The Moradabad Commissioner has stayed the proposed demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, providing interim relief to the institution founded by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.
Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh on Monday ordered that no demolition action would be taken until further orders, suspending the Rampur Development Authority’s (RDA) directive pending the next hearing.
The hearing before the commissioner’s court was scheduled for July 28 but was deferred, after which the interim stay was granted.
RDA had ordered demolition over alleged unauthorised construction
Earlier this month, the Rampur Development Authority directed the demolition of 38 out of the university’s 40 buildings, alleging they had been constructed without approved building plans.
The order followed a report submitted by a junior engineer claiming that most of the structures on the university campus lacked the required permissions. The university had also been given 15 days to demolish the buildings on its own.
With the commissioner’s latest order, the proposed bulldozer action has been put on hold until a final decision is taken.
Tejeen Fatma says legal battle will continue
Reacting to the development, former Rajya Sabha MP Tejeen Fatma, wife of Azam Khan, said the university would continue to challenge the demolition order through legal means if necessary.
Speaking to reporters in Rampur, she described the RDA’s order as “arbitrary, undemocratic and against the interests of students,” alleging that the action was intended to destroy the university.
She expressed hope that the commissioner’s court would ultimately rule in favour of the institution. However, she said that if the decision went against the university, the matter would be challenged before the Allahabad High Court and, if required, the Supreme Court.
“We will continue this fight till the very end,” she said.
Akhilesh Yadav to visit Rampur
Tejeen Fatma also announced that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav would soon visit Rampur to address students protesting against the demolition order.
The proposed demolition has triggered a political controversy in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections. Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP government of targeting the university due to political vendetta and appealed for the institution to be protected.
A Samajwadi Party delegation led by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey had earlier met Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi and submitted a memorandum signed by 45 party MLAs, urging the administration to halt the demolition.
Congress extends support
The Congress has also backed the Samajwadi Party’s demand to protect the university.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, urging her to intervene in the matter. He said the demolition order had caused concern among students, teachers and parents.
Rai argued that educational institutions are a public asset and should not become victims of political disputes, stating that universities serve society and future generations regardless of changes in government.
