SP MPs to visit Rampur to oppose Jauhar University demolition notices
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A nine-member delegation of Samajwadi Party (SP) Members of Parliament is set to visit Rampur on Saturday, 26 July 2025, to assess the situation at Jauhar University and press the district administration against proceeding with the proposed demolition of 38 allegedly unauthorised buildings on campus. The visit, ordered by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, follows a similar fact-finding mission by party MLAs earlier this week.
Background: What Triggered the Notices
The Rampur district administration has issued demolition notices to Jauhar University after officials reportedly found that 38 of the university's 40 buildings were constructed without approved building maps or sanctioned plans. The notices direct university authorities to remove the allegedly unauthorised structures within 15 days, with the administration reserving the right to initiate its own demolition proceedings if the deadline is not met.
The prospect of bulldozer action has ignited a sharp political controversy in Uttar Pradesh, with the SP alleging the move is unjustified and demanding administrative protection for the institution.
Who Is in the SP Delegation
The parliamentary delegation includes Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera, Iqra Hasan, Harendra Singh Malik, Rajiv Rai, Mohibullah Nadvi, Neeraj Maurya, and Ziaur Rahman Barq, among other party MPs. The group is expected to meet Rampur district officials, seek details on the notices served, and compile a report for submission to the party leadership.
SP's Escalating Political Response
This is the second SP delegation to Rampur in as many days. On Thursday, the party had already dispatched a group of MLAs led by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey to gauge ground realities. Saturday's MP-level visit signals a deliberate escalation by the party, which is framing the demolition drive as an act of administrative overreach.
The delegation is also expected to urge the administration to hold off on any demolition action until all legal and administrative questions are fully resolved. Notably, this controversy arrives against the broader backdrop of ongoing political tensions in Uttar Pradesh over the use of bulldozer action — a tool critics argue is being deployed selectively against minority-linked institutions.
Administration's Position
District authorities have maintained that the action is grounded in alleged violations of building regulations and is not politically motivated. Officials have not publicly indicated any willingness to withdraw the notices, setting the stage for a continuing standoff between the state administration and the opposition.
With the SP intensifying pressure through back-to-back parliamentary visits, the Jauhar University dispute is poised to remain a live political flashpoint in the run-up to further legislative sessions.