SP delegation reached Rampur’s Johar University to protest against the demolition of 38 blocks. Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey accused the Yogi government of political malice and submitted a memorandum to the DM demanding to stop the action.
SP accused of taking action out of revenge
Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) [भारत]July 23 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey on Thursday accused the state government of working in a spirit of “malice”. The allegation was made after a delegation of Samajwadi Party leaders visited Jauhar University in connection with the proposed demolition of 38 blocks. “The government is acting out of political malice,” Pandey told reporters.
According to a press release issued by the party, Pandey submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate demanding an immediate stop to the proposed demolition of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. The memorandum states that saving this important educational institution is a matter of protecting the future of thousands of poor, backward, Dalit, minority and underprivileged students. “The Samajwadi Party will always be at the forefront of every democratic struggle to protect education, the Constitution and student interests,” the party said in a press release.
The 28-member high-level delegation included 14 sitting MLAs, including Kamal Akhtar and Pinky Singh, along with district party leaders from Rampur, Moradabad and Bareilly.
Why is action being taken against Johar University?
Demolition has been proposed at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) allegedly ordered the removal of 38 unauthorized buildings. Additionally, the Public Works Department (PWD) has put up a board on a road inside the university campus, declaring it a public thoroughfare.
RDA gave 15 days ultimatum
The RDA had on June 28 issued a notice to the Jauhar Trust, which runs the university, alleging that construction measuring 82,309.80 square meters within the campus was done illegally. According to the authority, 38 blocks were constructed without approved building plans, while only two buildings had received prior permission from the district panchayat. The authority said the secretary of the Jauhar Trust failed to submit the approval documents within the stipulated period.
The trust has been given an additional 15 days to remove the 38 structures, with the RDA warning that demolition proceedings will be initiated if they fail to comply within the given deadline. The demolition order was passed under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, by the vice-chairman of the Rampur Development Authority, who is also the District Magistrate of Rampur. This is a major administrative action against the premier institution founded by senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan, who is currently lodged in jail in Rampur. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)