AIMPLB Urges Uttar Pradesh Government to Withdraw Demolition Notices Against Azam Khan’s University

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, also known as AIMPLB, has urged the Uttar Pradesh government and the Rampur Development Authority to withdraw demolition notices issued for 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur.

In a statement released on Friday, AIMPLB described the move as unjust and politically motivated. The Board said the action goes beyond a dispute over buildings and could negatively affect educational opportunities for the Muslim community.

AIMPLB spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas said that while governments have not done enough to improve educational access for Muslims, institutions built through public support and years of effort are now facing administrative action. He alleged that the notices reflect political vendetta against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who founded the university and is currently in jail.

The Rampur Development Authority has stated that 38 of the university’s 40 buildings were constructed without the required approvals. However, the Board rejected this claim, citing the university administration’s position that the buildings were built before the area came under the authority’s jurisdiction. According to the university, there was no legal requirement to seek approval from the Rampur Development Authority at the time of construction.

Ilyas said that if any legal or technical issues exist, they should be addressed through the proper legal process instead of ordering demolition. He argued that tearing down a university developed through years of public support and significant investment would be an excessive response.

The Board also said that demolishing a large part of the university would not only affect one institution or one community but would also result in the loss of an important educational asset for the country. It called on the authorities to stop the proposed action and resolve the matter through dialogue.