“We will fight till our last breath”: Tazeen Fatma defends Mohammad Ali pJauhar Uni amid demolition row

Millat Times Desk

30 July 2026 (Publish: 10:18 AM IST)

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The controversy surrounding Mohammad Ali Jauhar University has intensified after authorities alleged that 38 of the university’s 40 buildings were constructed without approved maps, triggering a legal and political dispute. As the administration warned of demolition if the structures were not removed within the stipulated period, Tazeen Fatma, former Rajya Sabha MP and wife of university founder Azam Khan, said the institution would continue its legal battle, alleging that it was being unfairly targeted.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Millat Times Editor-in-Chief Shams Tabrez Qasmi from the university campus in Rampur, Tazeen Fatma strongly criticised the demolition notice issued by the Rampur Development Authority (RDA). She described the action as “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional”, saying it would affect thousands of students studying at the university.
Responding to the allegation that the university buildings lack approved maps, Tazeen Fatma argued that the institution was established before Singhan Khera village, where the university is located, came under the jurisdiction of the Rampur Development Authority.
According to her, the university was established in 2005 and most of its buildings had already been completed by 2016-17. She claimed that Singhan Khera was brought under the RDA’s jurisdiction only in 2024, making it impossible for the university to obtain approvals from an authority that did not have jurisdiction over the area during the construction period.
She questioned the basis of the notice, saying, “If there was no authority governing the area at that time, from whom were we supposed to get the building maps approved?”
When asked whether she expected relief from the courts, Tazeen Fatma expressed confidence in the judiciary.
“If justice is not available elsewhere, we will certainly get justice from the courts,” she said, adding that the university would continue its legal challenge against the demolition order.
Speaking about Azam Khan, who remains in jail, she said that although lawyers had met him, his message remained firm.
“He has said that we will fight till our last breath, and our students will also continue this struggle until justice is served,” she said.

Amid discussions over suggestions that the Uttar Pradesh government should take control of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and convert it into a government institution, Tazeen Fatma rejected the proposal.
She said the university is a minority educational institution protected under the Constitution of India and argued that constitutional safeguards prevent the government from taking over such an institution without due process.
“There are several constitutional provisions protecting minority institutions. The government cannot easily seize control of a minority university,” she said.

The university has witnessed student protests following the demolition notice, with students saying they would continue their sit-in until the order was withdrawn.
Tazeen Fatma expressed support for the students’ concerns while maintaining that the matter should ultimately be resolved through legal and constitutional processes.
On the political front, Tazeen Fatma said that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had remained in contact with her.
She said Akhilesh Yadav had called her several times and had sent a delegation of MPs and MLAs to the university to meet students and assure them of support.
According to her, the delegation assured students that they need not worry and promised to make efforts to get the demolition order withdrawn.
When asked why Akhilesh Yadav himself had not yet visited the university, Tazeen Fatma said he had been occupied with other responsibilities, including addressing student-related issues elsewhere, but would visit the campus soon.
The interview also addressed the cases of Azam Khan and Abdullah Azam, who remain in jail.
Tazeen Fatma said she had spoken with Abdullah Azam and maintained that neither he nor Azam Khan had committed any crime.
She alleged that both had been falsely implicated in cases and imprisoned despite being innocent.
“They are prisoners, but they are not guilty of any crime. They have been deliberately trapped,” she claimed.
Regarding the possibility of their release before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, she expressed hope, saying several hearings were scheduled before the High Court and that she believed justice would eventually prevail.
Responding to speculation that Akhilesh Yadav had distanced himself from Azam Khan during his legal troubles, Tazeen Fatma rejected the claim.
She said the Samajwadi Party leadership had consistently supported the family and continued to stand with them during the ongoing legal proceedings.
Tazeen Fatma said she personally had not faced significant harassment but alleged that some pressure had been placed on students.
According to her, officials occasionally visited the campus to collect information about students and contacted their parents. She said such actions created pressure among those participating in the protests.

Meanwhile, on 27 July 2026, the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner’s court granted an interim stay on the proposed demolition of 38 university buildings.
The stay prevents any demolition action until further orders or the final hearing in the matter.
The demolition order was issued by the Rampur Development Authority, which alleged that the buildings lacked the required approvals. The university challenged the order through legal proceedings.
While the administration maintains that the buildings violate planning regulations, the university argues that the constructions were completed before the area came under the RDA’s jurisdiction.
With student protests continuing and political parties weighing in, the dispute is likely to remain a significant issue in Uttar Pradesh’s political and educational landscape in the coming months.