‘Our future is at stake’: Jauhar University students begin indefinite sit-in against demolition notice
A demolition order was issued on Wednesday by the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) for 38 of 40 buildings at the university, claiming they were constructed without permission.
Students of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district on Saturday launched an indefinite sit-in outside the university’s main gate, demanding that the demolition order against 38 campus buildings be withdrawn and the counselling centre established by the district administration outside the campus be removed.
The protest comes days after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) ordered the demolition of 38 out of the university’s 40 buildings, alleging they were constructed without the required approvals.
Speaking to The Indian Express, protesting students said the agitation was aimed at protecting the future of thousands studying at the university.
Mehroza Khan, a law student at the university, told The Indian Express, “Our career and future are at stake. We have decided to stage this sit-in because we want the government to reconsider its decision to demolish the university. We would not be able to continue our studies elsewhere, especially at colleges located far away.”
Another student said, “We are sitting here for the rights of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University because this is about the future of thousands of students like us. Our first demand is that no demolition should take place. The administration has also set up a counselling centre outside the university to facilitate admissions elsewhere. That should also be removed because we do not want to leave this university.”
‘Future at stake’: Students protest at Azam Khan’s Jauhar university over demolition orderhttps://t.co/HOOYgnFqvP pic.twitter.com/E6a1eflC7H
“The biggest thing is that we get fee concessions here. Students from SC/ST backgrounds receive a 50 per cent concession. Students who have lost their parents also get concessions. There are professional courses like B.Pharma and D.Pharma, which many of us would not be able to pursue elsewhere,” the student added.
As the protest gathered momentum, political parties stepped up their campaign over the issue. A day after the Congress raised the matter, AIMIM organised protest marches in different parts of the state against the proposed demolition.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the issue was “not about Azam Khan but about safeguarding Muslims’ right to higher education”, alleging that the BJP and the RSS did not want Muslims to become educated.
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“This is not about who built the university. The question is why they do not want Muslims to become teachers, engineers and doctors. They may have ended Azam Khan’s politics and prevented his son from contesting elections, but the university will remain. Thousands of Muslim students are graduating from here, which benefits the country.” Owaisi said.
Samajwadi Party Rampur MP Mohibullah Nadvi was also prevented from entering the campus. After waiting outside the main gate for around 15 minutes, he said he had come carrying party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s message of support but decided not to enter as it might disturb the students after speaking to the Vice-Chancellor.
Student protests broke out at Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan’s Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur on Saturday, days after a demolition order was issued against 38 of 40 buildingshttps://t.co/HOOYgnFqvP pic.twitter.com/VZr65itmW8
“I am a soldier of the party and have come here with Akhilesh ji’s message. The entire party stands with the university and will continue to do so. We spoke to the Vice-Chancellor and, seeing the large crowd and to ensure students’ education is not disrupted, we ourselves decided to return from the gate,” Nadvi said.
The ruling alliance also weighed in, with UP minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar taking a swipe at the Samajwadi Party.
“Had the Samajwadi Party government intended to protect the university, it should have legally transferred the land. Instead, it allowed the university to continue without doing so, and today Azam Khan is facing the consequences,” Rajbhar said.
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The RDA’s demolition order, issued on Wednesday under Section 27 of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, gives the university 15 days to remove the allegedly unauthorised structures, failing which the authority will undertake demolition.
The university is run by the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, chaired by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is currently in jail. While the Samajwadi Party has termed the demolition proceedings politically motivated, the administration maintains the action is based on violations of planning regulations.
Meanwhile, as the protest continued, counsellors assigned by the district administration left the counselling centre near the university gate after their duty hours ended.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
