Uttar Pradesh Development Authority Orders Demolition of 38 Buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University
In a significant development in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, the Rampur Development Authority has issued a notice ordering the demolition of 38 out of 40 buildings on the campus of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. The notice, served on July 15, gave the university until August 5 to comply, citing that the structures were built without permission from the competent authority.
The university, founded nearly 20 years ago by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, spans over 250 acres. Only the medical college building and the academic block are spared from the demolition order. If carried out, the action would effectively shut down the university's operations, leaving little of the campus intact.
Amid the controversy, Deepak Kumar, a resident of Uttarakhand who gained public attention after defending a Muslim shopkeeper from a mob — an act that led to him being popularly known as 'Mohammad' Deepak — has appealed for the university to be 'saved'. His plea highlights the broader concerns over the demolition order and its impact on education.
The development authority has not publicly commented on the rationale behind the notice beyond the lack of building permissions. The university administration has yet to respond officially, but the matter is expected to be contested legally. Observers note that the demolition order could have far-reaching consequences for students and staff associated with the institution.
