- India,
- 18-Jul-2026 12:01 PM IST
The shifting tides of time and political circumstances have brought about a remarkable irony in the ongoing legal saga of Jauhar University in Rampur. In a significant turn of events, the future of this prominent educational institution now rests in the hands of an IAS officer who was once publicly ridiculed by the university's founder and senior Samajwadi Party leader, Azam Khan. IAS officer Anjaneya Singh, who currently serves as the Commissioner of Moradabad Division and the Chairman of the Rampur Development Authority (RDA), will be the presiding authority to hear the appeal against the demolition notices issued to the university buildings.
The 2019 Controversy and the 'Tankhaiyya' Remark
The history between Azam Khan and Anjaneya Singh dates back to 2019 when Singh was serving as the District Magistrate of Rampur. During that period, the administrative crackdown on the university's land acquisitions and construction was at its peak. Azam Khan, known for his fiery oratory, had made several sharp and controversial remarks against the officer. In a public address, Khan had referred to the IAS officer as 'Tankhaiyya', a term used for a salaried employee, often intended in a derogatory context in this instance. He had also made various other disputed statements regarding the officer's conduct. Fast forward to the present, and the administrative hierarchy has placed Anjaneya Singh in a position where he will legally evaluate the fate of the very project Azam Khan built.
Demolition Threat to 38 Buildings
The current crisis for Jauhar University stems from a demolition notice issued by the Rampur Development Authority. Out of the 40 buildings within the university complex, 38 are facing the threat of being razed. The authority has cited violations in the building maps and construction norms as the reason for this drastic action. The university management is now in a race against time to save these structures, which form the core infrastructure of the campus. The decision on whether these buildings will stand or be demolished by bulldozers will be heavily influenced by the upcoming hearings under the chairmanship of Anjaneya Singh.
Political Reactions and Support
As the threat of demolition looms large, political activities in Rampur have intensified. Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi has announced his visit to Rampur to intervene in the matter. Nadvi stated that he intends to meet with representatives from both the Hindu and Muslim communities to find a way to save the university. He emphasized that he would make every possible effort to prevent the destruction of the educational institution. Plus, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also stepped into the fray. The board has termed the demolition notice as unjust and has formally demanded its immediate withdrawal, calling it a targeted action against the institution.
Three Legal and Administrative Options
Legal experts and observers have pointed out that Azam Khan and the university administration have three primary options to navigate this crisis. The first option involves seeking compounding for the 38 buildings through the Rampur Development Authority. This process would require the university to get the building maps regularized by paying various charges, including development fees, labor cess, compounding fees, and impact fees. Experts estimate that this route could cost upwards of 100 crore rupees, although this is an unofficial assessment. The second option is to approach the High Court for relief. However, experts suggest that even if the court intervenes, the final regularization process would likely still have to be completed through the RDA. The third and most immediate option is to file an application before the Commissioner of Moradabad Division and RDA Chairman, Anjaneya Singh, requesting a stay on the demolition order. The administrative and legal world is now watching closely to see how this complex situation unfolds and what the final verdict will be for Jauhar University.
