17/07/2026
Demolition Order Against Mohammad Ali Jauhar University Is an Attack on Education, Justice, and the Constitution
The order issued by the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) directing the demolition of buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, along with the declaration of a road within the university campus as a public road, constitutes a serious assault on education, the rule of law, and the constitutional values.
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University is not merely an educational institution; it is a vital centre of learning, empowerment, and social inclusion for communities that have historically remained deprived of access to quality education. Thousands of students are currently pursuing their education at the university. Any move to demolish its buildings is not an action against a single individual, but a direct attack on the educational rights, aspirations, and future of these students.
If there are any legal or administrative concerns regarding the establishment, construction, or functioning of the university, they must be addressed through due process of law, impartial investigation, and constitutional mechanisms. Replacing judicial processes with bulldozer action undermines the rule of law and is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution.
Unfortunately, this action appears to be part of a broader pattern witnessed in recent years in Uttar Pradesh, where institutions of the Muslim community have repeatedly faced selective state action. The demolition of homes and institutions of the Muslim community, the persistent suspicion cast upon their cultural and religious identity, and the selective criminal prosecution of Muslim leaders have collectively deepened a sense of insecurity and mistrust among Indian Muslims.
Political differences are an inherent part of a democratic society. However, no government has the authority to damage educational institutions on the basis of political disagreements or personal rivalries. Depriving thousands of students of their right to education by targeting a well-established university can not be justified in any democratic system.
We call upon the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the concerned authorities to immediately withdraw the demolition order issued against Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. We also appeal to all social and political organisations, academics, civil society groups, and the student community to raise their voices against this action and stand united in defending educational institutions from political retaliation.
*SIO UP West*
