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NEW DELHI: Protests have intensified in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh after authorities ordered the demolition of most buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, an institution founded by veteran Muslim politician Azam Khan.
Hundreds of current and former students, along with local residents, have been staging a sit-in outside the university’s main gate, carrying India’s national flag and demanding that the demolition order be withdrawn.
The controversy comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity, following recent nationwide student protests over education reforms that culminated in the resignation of India’s education minister.
Named after freedom fighter Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, the university was established in 2006 on a 250-acre campus in Rampur by the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, founded by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in 2003.
On 15 July, the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) issued a notice ordering the demolition of 38 of the university’s 40 buildings, alleging they had been constructed in violation of planning regulations and building guidelines.
According to the RDA, only two buildings on the campus have valid approvals. The university was instructed to demolish the remaining 38 structures at its own expense by 5 August, failing which the administration warned it would carry out the demolition itself and recover the costs from the university.
On Monday (27 July), the state administration issued an interim stay on the demolition order. However, it did not clarify whether the proposed demolition drive had been cancelled altogether.
University Vice-Chancellor Zahiruddin told Al Jazeera that the stay does not mean the demolition order has been withdrawn.
“It simply means the buildings will not be demolished before the 5 August deadline set by the Rampur Development Authority,” he said, adding that the university is continuing its legal battle to have the demolition order quashed by the court.
The university’s approximately 3,000 students, enrolled in more than 50 academic programmes, now face growing uncertainty over the institution’s future.
Since 15 July, students and alumni have maintained an indefinite sit-in protest at the university’s main entrance, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the demolition notice.