RAMPUR: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday appealed to people to help stop the proposed demolition of buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, founded by senior SP leader Azam Khan, and accused the BJP government of targeting the institution out of political vendetta. His remarks came days after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) ordered the demolition of 38 out of the university’s 40 buildings, alleging that they were constructed without the required approvals, according to news agency PTI. The university has challenged the order, arguing that the structures were built when the area did not fall under the Authority’s jurisdiction. In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister urged students, parents and citizens across the country to support efforts to save the university, calling it a “temple of education”. He alleged that the BJP government was attempting to make the university a victim of its “narrow politics” and was trying to “bulldoze the dreams” of thousands of students and their parents. Yadav said that if there were shortcomings in the documentation, they should be addressed instead of demolishing the university. He maintained that the institution caters to students from economically weaker backgrounds who cannot afford costly private universities or overseas education. Questioning the government’s approach, Yadav asked whether the BJP had become “anti-youth” and said its actions reflected “arrogance” rather than concern for students’ future. The SP chief further alleged that the BJP was “against education” because educated people become aware of their rights and raise questions against injustice. He also claimed that the move against Jauhar University was part of a “larger conspiracy” targeting students from all sections of society and accused the ruling party of pursuing politics driven by revenge.
