On July 15, 2026, Rampur Development Authority (RDA) declared 38 out of 40 buildings of Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University illegal and ordered to demolish them. The authority says that these 38 buildings were built without obtaining building permission. The university management has been given 15 days time. If they do not demolish the buildings themselves, the administration will use bulldozers. Samajwadi Party (SP) has opened its entire front against this. From the party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav to MP Mohibullah Nadvi have termed it as ‘political revenge’. After all, how did Johar University become a political weapon and which leaders are shining the light of politics?

After all, who was Jauhar whose name has created an uproar over the university?

Mohammad Ali Jauhar was a great leader of India’s freedom struggle, journalist, educationist and poet. Born on 10 December 1878 in Rampur state (Uttar Pradesh), Johar completed his studies from Oxford University. In 1906 he became a member of the Muslim League and in 1917 was elected President of the Muslim League. In 1923 he was also the President of the Indian National Congress.

In 1930, at the first Round Table Conference in London, Maulana Jauhar had told the British, ‘I would like to die in a foreign country, provided it is a free country. If you will not give us freedom in India, you will have to give me a grave here (in London).

Johar published ‘The Comrade’ (English) and ‘Hamdard’ (Urdu) newspapers, which were like a thorn in the eyes of the British government. He was one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia. He died on 4 January 1931 in Jerusalem and was buried near the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Now understand what is the whole controversy over Johar University?

The university was established in 2006 under an Act of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature. Azam Khan was its Chancellor and Maulana Mohammad Ali was the lifelong president of the Jauhar Trust. It was called Azam Khan’s ‘dream project’.

RDA found that there are a total of 40 buildings in the university campus, out of which 38 buildings were constructed without getting the approved map passed. RDA had earlier issued a notice and given 15 days time. The order was passed after hearing on 15 July 2026.

Apart from this, the Public Works Department (PWD) declared about 3.5 km long road passing through the university campus as a public road.

Which SP leader should shine in politics in this matter?

• Mohibullah Nadvi (SP MP): On July 18, 2026, Rampur’s SP MP Maulana Mohibullah reached the main gate of Nadvi University. He had brought the message of Akhilesh Yadav, but Nadvi was stopped at the main gate of the university itself. Even after waiting in the car for about 30 minutes, we were not allowed inside. Nadvi said, ‘We would not want even the plaster of the university to fall.’
• Akhilesh Yadav (SP President): Akhilesh Yadav first issued an open letter to students and parents on 19 July 2026. Akhilesh wrote, ‘Dear students and parents, we are completely with you in the campaign of the youth and their parents to save Jauhar University. The BJP government, which is burning with the feeling of revenge, should not try to make Jauhar University a victim of its politics.
• Tajeen Fatima (Azam Khan’s wife): After the order was issued, Azam Khan’s wife and former MLA Dr. Tazeen reached Fatima University. He ordered the policemen deployed inside the premises to go out. Tajin said, ‘We have been given fifteen days’ time. We don’t want to say anything else right now.
• Asim Raza (SP City President): Azam Khan’s close aide and SP city president Asim Raza claimed in a press conference recently that ‘all maps are available, no rules have been ignored.’ Raza said, ‘Our views were heard, but the verdict was given within 10 minutes, rejecting them and a press release was immediately issued. This shows that the outcome was already decided.
• Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi (All India Muslim Jamaat): National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said, ‘The university should not be punished for Azam Khan’s mistake.’

What demands did the SP leaders raise?

Four big things emerge from all the statements of SP leaders:

• Not a matter of resignation, but of defence: SP leaders did not demand the resignation of any minister, but talked about saving the university.
• Solution of paper deficiencies: Akhilesh Yadav said that if there are paper deficiencies, they should be filled and not the entire university should be demolished.
• Future of poor students: SP leaders described the university as ‘the last hope of poor students’.
• Legal battle: Azam Khan’s family is preparing to go to Allahabad High Court.

What are the legal aspects of the Jauhar University controversy?

According to former Information Commissioner and senior advocate Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi:

• Under the Limitation Act 1963, there is a time limit of three years for illegal construction.
• In some circumstances, the legal limit of up to 12 years is mentioned.
• If more than three and 12 years have passed since the construction, then it is a big legal question as to why the authority did not take action for so many years.
• RDA may face a legal challenge as most of the buildings were constructed years ago.

At present, the university administration can adopt legal route within the time limit of 15 days. RDA has filed a caveat in Allahabad High Court. It remains to be seen what decision the court gives in the coming days, because the future of thousands of students depends on it.