Aligarh Muslim University is taking legal and administrative steps after the Aligarh Municipal Corporation took over 41 bighas of land, currently used by the university’s Riding Club, emphasizing that it is the legally owned property of the university.
On Wednesday, Nagar Nigam officials claimed ownership of the land by putting up a signboard that read, “This property belongs to Aligarh Municipal Corporation. By order of the Municipal Commissioner, Aligarh Municipal Corporation.”
The municipal officials alleged that AMU is unlawfully occupying large portions of government land and clarified that all necessary procedural steps were followed before Wednesday’s action.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the university strongly opposed the Corporation’s action and claimed that the land in question is legally owned by the university.
“Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) wishes to make it unequivocally clear that the land over which the Municipal Corporation recently carried out on-site action is a legally owned property of the University,” said the university.
The university clarified that the disputed land is “a legally owned property of the university” and not government land, as claimed by the civic body.
The university further stated that it has “all relevant documents, archival records, and legal evidence establishing its rightful ownership,” and these are being submitted to the appropriate legal forums.
Refuting allegations of illegal encroachment, the statement emphasized that the land “has been under the University’s ownership for several decades,” and there has “never been any question of its illegal occupation by the University.”
“Aligarh Muslim University is a central university that adheres fully to legal norms, institutional propriety, and constitutional responsibility in all its affairs,” reads the press release.
The statement confirmed that “The University is taking appropriate legal and administrative measures to safeguard its legitimate rights.”
“AMU acquired the land more than 80 years ago without any dispute. We did not receive a single formal notice regarding this issue, nor were we given an opportunity to explain ourselves. Around 4 PM on Wednesday, we learned that the Municipal Corporation had put up a board on the property,” Shakeel Ahmad Khan, member in charge of AMU properties, told reporters.
“We had come to know informally that something was being planned,” the official added. “On Tuesday, we verbally informed Nagar Nigam officials that we were prepared to present all relevant documents upon receiving a formal written notice. Despite this, the board was installed on Wednesday without any further communication.”
Chief Municipal Officer Vinod Kumar told reporters, “AMU is illegally occupying significant portions of government land. We are currently identifying these plots and taking the necessary actions. All required procedures were completed before the move on Wednesday.”
AMU’s chief spokesperson, Vibha Sharma, said that the university acquired the land more than 80 years ago under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, through a government order.
“How did the Corporation suddenly take over land that has been with the University for over 80 years?” asked Former AMU Students’ Union president Faizul Hasan.
He demanded that those responsible should resign, claiming that “the land takeover could not have happened without the collusion of certain individuals.”
Meanwhile, the students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have announced a protest, demanding the immediate removal of the illegally placed signboard, an official inquiry into the unauthorized occupation, and the restoration and protection of AMU’s land and legal rights.
“This is not just an encroachment on land, but an attack on the dignity, autonomy, and heritage of Aligarh Muslim University,” reads the statement calling for the protest.
“We cannot remain silent. We must raise our voices against this unlawful and disrespectful action,” they added.
