Rampur: Political tensions escalated in Rampur on Friday as the Samajwadi Party (SP) stepped up its campaign against proposed demolition action at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, alleging that the move threatens students’ future and undermines educational institutions.
The controversy follows demolition notices reportedly issued by the Rampur Development Authority for 38 of the university’s 40 buildings, directing action within 15 days. The notices have triggered an indefinite student protest on the university campus, with the agitation entering its sixth day.
Acting on the instructions of SP president Akhilesh Yadav, the party has constituted a nine-member parliamentary delegation that is scheduled to visit Rampur on July 25 to assess the situation. The delegation will meet district officials, gather details of the case, and submit a report to the party leadership.
The delegation includes Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera, Iqra Hasan, Javed Ali Khan, Harendra Singh Malik, Rajeev Rai, Mohibbullah Nadvi, Neeraj Maurya, Ziaur Rahman Barq, and Rampur district president Ajay Sagar, among others.
In a letter announcing the delegation, Uttar Pradesh Samajwadi Party president Shyamlal Pal described the proposed demolition as contrary to the constitutional right to education and democratic values. He argued that any action against the university could adversely affect students, particularly those from economically weaker, backward, and marginalized communities.
Akhilesh Yadav also criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over the issue through a social media post. Drawing a parallel with student protests in the national capital, he wrote that “Delhi is witnessing a movement over examinations, while Rampur is witnessing a struggle to save education.” He alleged that preserving Mohammad Ali Jauhar University is essential for safeguarding students’ futures and accused the state government of adopting a negative approach towards educational institutions.
The SP chief further alleged that governments should protect universities rather than dismantle them, calling the reported demolition drive “shameful” and asserting that educational institutions should not become targets of political action.
Meanwhile, the party has continued its on-ground mobilisation in support of protesting students. Uttar Pradesh Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey visited the university campus on Thursday along with party legislators, former legislators, and district leaders. Students greeted the delegation with slogans as Pandey expressed solidarity with their agitation.
Pandey briefly joined students at the protest site before holding a closed-door meeting inside the university campus with senior party leaders and local representatives, including district president Ajay Sagar and MLA Nasir Ahmad Khan. The meeting reportedly lasted around an hour, after which Pandey reiterated the party’s support for the students while speaking to the media.
The Samajwadi Party has maintained that it will continue raising the issue and has urged the state government to reconsider any demolition action, arguing that the future of thousands of students should remain the primary concern. The state government and local authorities have yet to issue a fresh response to the party’s latest allegations.
