The political and legal tension in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a boiling point following a significant administrative order against Jauhar University, the ambitious dream project of senior Samajwadi Party leader and former cabinet minister Azam Khan. The Rampur district administration has officially issued a notice for the demolition of 38 out of the 40 buildings located within the university campus. This decision has set a strict 15 day deadline for the university administration to raze the structures, leading to a high-voltage confrontation on Thursday when Azam Khan's wife and former MLA, Dr. Tazeen Fatima, arrived at the university premises to take stock of the situation.
High Drama at the University Gates
Upon her arrival at the Jauhar University gate, Dr, while tazeen Fatima was met with a heavy deployment of police personnel. Seeing the officers stationed at the entrance, she expressed her strong displeasure and reportedly directed them to leave the premises. She argued that since the administration has provided a 15 day window for action, the presence of police inside the campus is unnecessary and intrusive. Dr. Tazeen Fatima stated, "We've a clear order from the court which gives us 15 days of time. In such a situation, the police and administration can't forcibly sit inside the university. " Her presence and the subsequent argument with the police caused a major stir among the staff and local supporters.
The History and Legal Battle of Jauhar University
Jauhar University has a long and complex history, deeply intertwined with the political shifts in Uttar Pradesh. The foundation of the university was laid on 18 September 2006, during the tenure of the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government, where Azam Khan held a powerful ministerial position. However, shortly after its establishment, the Samajwadi Party lost power in the state, and Azam Khan was no longer a minister, which stalled the formal inauguration of the project. It took another 6 years for the university to be officially inaugurated. On 18 September 2012, after the Samajwadi Party returned to power with Akhilesh Yadav as Chief Minister and Azam Khan as a highly influential minister, the university was finally opened.
The Conflict Over Building Approvals
The current demolition order stems from a dispute over construction approvals. At the time the university was being built, the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) had not yet been formed, and the area fell under the jurisdiction of the Zila Panchayat. While the university administration obtained approval from the Zila Panchayat for the construction of 2 buildings, the remaining 38 buildings were constructed without such approvals after the administrative structure changed. The Rampur Development Authority has now categorized these 38 buildings as illegal constructions. The demolition order has been issued under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. This decision followed detailed hearings and a thorough examination of documents, concluding that the structures don't meet the legal requirements for construction.
Previous Legal Setbacks
This isn't the first major blow to Azam Khan's dream project. In 2021, the state government took back more than 70 hectares of land from Jauhar University. This action followed a legal battle where Azam Khan's petition against the government's acquisition of the land was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court. With the latest demolition order for 38 buildings, the future of the university remains uncertain as the 15 day ultimatum continues to count down.