ISLAMABAD—For years, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur has represented a dream, a political legacy and a source of controversy. Now, the sprawling campus in Uttar Pradesh has become the centre of a fresh legal battle after authorities issued a demolition notice against 38 of its buildings.
The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has directed the university administration to remove the alleged unauthorised constructions within 15 days. Officials warned that if the university fails to comply, the authority will carry out the demolition itself and recover the expenses from the institution.
The latest action has once again placed the university founded by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan under public scrutiny, reopening a debate that has followed the institution for years.
According to Indian media reports, the RDA’s action is based on alleged violations of building regulations under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act. Authorities maintain that the buildings were constructed without obtaining mandatory approval of building plans.
Rampur District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi said the university administration had been given an opportunity to remove the alleged violations within the specified period. He added that legal procedures were followed before issuing the demolition order.
A Project Once Described as a Life Mission
The Mohammad Ali Jauhar University was established by the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust in 2006 and received university status in 2012.
Spread over a large area in Rampur, the institution has long been considered one of Azam Khan’s most ambitious projects. During his political career, Khan repeatedly described the university as his “dream project” and a mission aimed at expanding access to higher education, particularly for economically disadvantaged and minority students.
The university offers programmes in medicine, engineering, law, agriculture, education and social sciences. The campus also includes a medical college, hospital, student hostels and residential facilities.
Supporters of the university describe it as one of western Uttar Pradesh’s major educational institutions, while critics have questioned the process through which land was acquired and developed for the campus.
A Long History of Legal Disputes
The demolition notice comes as the university and its founder are already facing multiple legal challenges.
Since 2019, several cases have been registered against Azam Khan, his wife Dr Tazeen Fatima, his son Abdullah Azam Khan and other members of the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust. These cases include allegations related to illegal land acquisition, encroachment, forgery and misuse of government property.
The Uttar Pradesh government has alleged that land belonging to farmers, government departments and even enemy property was illegally included within the university’s boundaries.
The government had earlier cancelled leases of certain land allocated to the university. The Allahabad High Court upheld the decision, while the Supreme Court of India declined to interfere with the high court order.
Unlike previous disputes, which largely focused on land ownership, the latest action centres on construction approvals and alleged violations of building regulations.
Authorities argue that every institution must follow approved construction procedures, while the university has the legal option to challenge the demolition order before the courts.
A Legal Battle With Political Consequences
The dispute also carries political significance.
Azam Khan, once considered one of the most influential Muslim leaders of the Samajwadi Party and a dominant figure in Rampur politics, has faced several legal cases in recent years that have affected his political standing.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Uttar Pradesh government says the action against the university is part of a wider campaign against illegal constructions and encroachments across the state.
The Samajwadi Party, however, has repeatedly alleged that Azam Khan has been selectively targeted through legal and administrative actions—a claim rejected by the state government.
For now, academic activities at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University continue as usual.
But the future of its 38 buildings remains uncertain, dependent on the university’s legal strategy and the outcome of the court proceedings.
