UP stays demolition of 38 Jauhar University buildings, orders status quo
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Moradabad: In a major relief to Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, founded by Samajwadi Party leader and former MP Azam Khan, the Uttar Pradesh government's Divisional Commissioner has stayed, for now, the demolition order issued against 38 buildings on the campus, an official said on Monday.
The Divisional Commissioner has directed the Rampur district administration to maintain status quo until the next hearing, putting a temporary halt to the proposed demolition of the university buildings.
The controversy surrounding Jauhar University erupted after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) flagged multiple violations on the campus, alleging that 38 of the university's 40 buildings had been constructed without the necessary approvals.
The RDA had also directed the university to remove the structures on its own within a stipulated time frame, failing which the district administration would take steps to demolish them.
Earlier last week, a group of Samajwadi Party leaders and workers took to the streets in Ayodhya to protest against the Rampur Development Authority's order to demolish 38 of the 40 campus buildings, which were allegedly constructed without approved sanctioned plans.
The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India to the District Magistrate in Ayodhya, seeking a halt to the proposed demolition of the university buildings.
In the memorandum, the SP workers sought the President's intervention against the proposed action targeting Jauhar University and demanded that all parties be given an opportunity to present their case in accordance with due legal procedures.
The protest, led by former minister and former MLA Tej Narayan Pandey, saw scores of SP workers raising slogans in support of Jauhar University and accusing the state government of pursuing the action out of political vendetta.
Pandey said the state administration should provide an opportunity to rectify any technical or documentary deficiencies instead of demolishing the entire educational institution.
He also alleged that the government wanted to shut down schools and open liquor shops in their place.
Pandey said that while there was talk of making India a 'Vishwa Guru' (global leader), attempts were simultaneously being made to take away pens and books from children's hands.
"The country cannot be strengthened by running bulldozers over temples of learning. If there are shortcomings regarding the university's building, blueprints, or other documents, an opportunity should be given to address them in accordance with the rules," he said.
With IANS inputs
