Dear Citizens, Peace Advocates, Human Rights Defenders, and Decision Makers,

A university is not merely a collection of buildings. It is a temple of education, research, innovation, and nation-building. It nurtures future generations, creates knowledge, and contributes to the social and economic development of society. Such institutions belong to the students, teachers, researchers, and the nation—not to the legacy of any individual.

Today, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, faces an unprecedented crisis. The Rampur Development Authority (RDA) has issued a 15-day notice declaring 38 out of the university's 40 buildings unauthorized, paving the way for a large-scale demolition.

If implemented, this action will not merely demolish buildings—it will devastate the academic future of thousands of innocent students, destroy years of educational investment, and leave hundreds of teachers, administrative employees, and support staff unemployed. The consequences will extend far beyond the campus, placing immense financial and emotional hardship on their families, including women, children, and elderly dependents who rely on these livelihoods.

In a civilized and democratic society governed by the rule of law, educational institutions should be protected—not destroyed. Universities take decades of vision, investment, and collective effort to build, yet they can be reduced to rubble in a matter of hours. History teaches us that the destruction of universities has been associated with periods of conflict, intolerance, and barbarism—not with societies committed to education, justice, and progress.

Why This Demolition Must Be Stopped

1. Protect the Academic Future of Students

Thousands of students are pursuing their education in good faith. They should never be punished for alleged administrative or regulatory lapses beyond their control. Their education, degrees, careers, and aspirations deserve protection.

2. Protect Employment and Families

Hundreds of teachers, researchers, administrative personnel, and support staff depend on the university for their livelihood. Their sudden unemployment would severely affect their families, particularly women, children, and other dependents, creating avoidable social and economic distress.

3. Protect Constitutional and Human Rights

The proposed demolition raises serious concerns regarding the right to education, human dignity, and equality guaranteed under the Constitution of India. It also touches upon the protection available to minority educational institutions under Article 30(1) of the Constitution and reflects the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognize education as a fundamental human right.

4. Legal Alternatives Are Available

If there are building plan irregularities or regulatory violations, Indian urban planning laws provide legal mechanisms, including compounding (regularization through prescribed penalties) wherever permissible under law. Demolition should be the last resort after all lawful alternatives have been fully examined. 

Questions That Demand Immediate Answers

Before any irreversible action is taken, the authorities must answer some fundamental questions in the interest of transparency, accountability, and public welfare:

* Who will safeguard the academic future of thousands of students whose education and careers may be irreparably disrupted?

*Who will compensate for the enormous educational and economic loss resulting from the destruction of a fully functional university campus built over many years?

* Who will provide employment or rehabilitation to the hundreds of teachers, researchers, administrative personnel, and support staff who may lose their livelihoods overnight?

* Who has assessed the short-term and long-term educational, social, and economic consequences of demolishing one of the region's major institutions of higher learning?

Until these questions are answered satisfactorily, any irreversible action would risk causing avoidable harm to students, employees, their families, and the larger public interest.

Our Collective Appeal to the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh

We do not defend any administrative irregularity. If the managing trust has violated the law, appropriate legal action should be taken against those responsible. However, thousands of innocent students, teachers, employees, and their families should not become collateral victims.

We respectfully urge the Government to:

Immediately stay and withdraw the proposed demolition order in the larger public interest, explore all lawful alternatives available under the law, including compounding wherever legally permissible, and ensure that the academic future of students and the livelihoods of university employees are fully protected.

Education builds nations. Demolition destroys opportunities.

Let us choose classrooms over bulldozers, dialogue over destruction, and justice over irreversible loss.

Please sign this petition, share it widely, and urge the authorities to protect this institution in the interest of students, education, employment, and the future of our nation.

Petition Initiated By :

Mohd. Abdul Saeed Khan (Saeed Khan Falahi)
Human Rights Defender and Advocate for Peace, Interfaith Harmony, Constitutional Values, Democracy and Social Justice.

Founder, Peace Over Prejudice Campaign, India
Cooperation Circle (CC), United Religions Initiative (URI)

Recipient, HM King Abdullah II of Jordan United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week Award 2014 (Second Prize)
Recipient, Friend of Africa Award 2017