India Moves to Demolish Muslim-Founded University as Students Launch Protest

Authorities in India's Uttar Pradesh state are facing growing criticism after ordering the demolition of most buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, a minority institution founded by veteran Muslim politician Azam Khan.

The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has alleged that 38 of the university's 40 buildings were constructed without valid approvals and ordered the institution to remove them by August 5. Officials warned that if the university failed to comply, authorities would carry out the demolition and recover the costs.


The university has challenged the decision in court, and an interim stay has temporarily delayed the process. However, university officials say the order remains active and the legal battle is far from over.

The planned demolition has sparked an indefinite protest outside the university, with hundreds of students, alumni and local residents demanding that the order be withdrawn. Protesters argue that destroying the campus would jeopardize the education of nearly 3,000 students and severely impact higher education in Rampur.

Many students say the university provides educational opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable, particularly for women. Female students noted that their families allowed them to pursue higher education because they considered the campus safe and inclusive.

Founded in 2006 under the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, the university was established by Azam Khan, one of the founders of the Samajwadi Party and a longtime political rival of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).


Since the BJP formed the Uttar Pradesh government in 2017, Khan has faced numerous legal cases involving allegations of land grabbing, forgery and hate speech. His supporters claim the demolition order is politically motivated and forms part of a broader campaign against him and minority institutions.

Opposition leaders have echoed those concerns, accusing the state government of using administrative measures to target a university established for educational advancement. They argue that the institution has become a political target because of its founder and its minority status.


The BJP has rejected those accusations, insisting the action is based solely on violations of construction regulations. Party representatives say illegal structures cannot be exempt from the law regardless of who built them.


University officials dispute the government's claims, arguing that the campus was constructed before the area came under the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority. They maintain that the approvals now being demanded were not legally required at the time of construction.


Vice Chancellor Zaheeruddin said the institution has received approvals from multiple education regulators to operate its academic programmes and described the demolition order as a threat to students' constitutional right to education.

Although legally recognized as a minority institution, university authorities say students from different religious communities study on campus, including a significant number of Hindus. Several non-Muslim students participating in the protest said they had always experienced an inclusive environment and opposed the demolition.


The controversy has also renewed debate over the increasing use of demolitions against properties linked to Muslims in India. Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about such actions, while authorities maintain they are enforcing existing laws against illegal construction.

Student protesters have further alleged that police officers visited their homes to pressure families into discouraging participation in the demonstrations. Police have not publicly responded to those allegations.

As court proceedings continue, uncertainty remains over the future of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. Students and faculty have vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations until the demolition order is withdrawn, saying the institution remains vital for providing accessible higher education in the region.