Mehbooba urges people to save Jauhar University from demolition

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti criticised the proposed demolition of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh, calling it a grave injustice to thousands of students. She urged people to unite to protect the institution, while authorities cited unauthorised construction for the action

Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said the proposed demolition of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur would be a grave injustice to students and urged people to come together to save it.

The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has ordered the demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, founded by jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, saying they were constructed without approval of the building plan.

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The university argued that the area was outside the RDA’s jurisdiction when the buildings were constructed, a contention rejected by the authority.

“Bulldozing Jauhar University is a grave injustice to thousands of students, especially those from economically weaker sections. Yet another vindictive action by the Yogi government against an institution thats provided quality education to all without discrimination of caste, creed or religion,” Mufti said in a post on X.

“An educated society asks questions, demands accountability, jobs & justice. Ordinarily the courts should have taken suo motu notice of such actions but that hasn’t happened. It’s now for people to come together & protect an institution that has transformed the lives of thousands,” she said.

Established in 2006, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University has recently been at the centre of several legal disputes over alleged land encroachment and lease violations, with the Uttar Pradesh government reclaiming large portions of the property. Earlier this year, Azam Khan and his family formally stepped aside from the university’s governing trust.