Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai has accused the BJP-led state government of attempting to divert public attention from the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Mandir by issuing a demolition notice to Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. He also alleged that such actions are aimed at creating a divide between Hindus and Muslims.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rai claimed the government was trying to shift focus from what he described as the "Ram Mandir issue" by initiating action against the university. He alleged that controversies such as the demolition notice and other recent decisions were being used to distract the public from more pressing matters. Rai further accused the BJP and the RSS of attempting to polarise society instead of addressing issues affecting the people.
The remarks came after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) served a notice to the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which manages Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, directing it to remove 38 allegedly unauthorised buildings on the campus. According to the authority, around 82,309.80 square metres of construction were carried out without approved building plans. The notice grants the trust 15 days to remove the structures, failing which demolition proceedings may begin under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.
Responding to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak defended the government's action, stating that the administration is committed to enforcing the law uniformly and ensuring that no illegal construction is allowed. He maintained that the action was being taken strictly in accordance with legal provisions and was unrelated to political considerations.
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University was established by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is currently lodged in Rampur jail in connection with multiple legal cases. The institution has remained at the centre of several legal and administrative disputes over the years.
Ajay Rai also criticised the BJP over what he described as its handling of issues related to communal harmony, alleging that the ruling party frequently raises religious controversies to divert attention from governance and accountability. The BJP, however, has rejected such allegations, maintaining that all actions concerning the university are based solely on legal and administrative grounds.
