I will prefer to die, if there in no Jauhar university: Azam

Lucknow, June 27(UNI) The principal opposition Samajwadi Party today charged the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) government of conspiring to demolish the Maulana Jauhar Ali University at Rampur and registering fake cases against leader Mohammad Azam Khan.

The SP members created pandemonium in the house over the issue and even trooped into the well of the house twice and sat on dharna.

Mr Khan, raising the issue through an adjournment motion on the opening day of the budget session of the state assembly, said a conspiracy has been hatched to demolish the proposed university building.

In his emotional statement, the SP member said: ''I will prefer to die, if there is no Jauhar university''.

He said that the boundary wall of the university has been demolished and fake cases were being registered against him for stealing petty things. He also charged that police was not registering cases against the people involved in damaging the property of the university.

Leader of the Opposition Mulayam Singh Yadav said it was a matter of great concern as the state government was targetting the development works of the previous government. ''Jauhar university is a symbol of international education and international community is concerned about its existence,'' he added.

However, refuting the charges, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Lalji Verma said the government will do whatever necessary as per the law. '' BSP government is not acting on a political vendetta but action will be taken against those who did not follow norms,'' he added.

After a heated discussion between the treasury and opposition benches, Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar admitted the demand of the SP for a statement on the entire issue by the government tomorrow in the house.

Meanwhile, in another issue during the zero hour, SP member Ram Kishun Yadav alleged that the police, on the direction of the ruling party, were harrassing the people of a particular caste and community in Chandauli district.

''Fake cases are being lodged against these people to settle scores'', he said.

Mr Verma, however, contradicted the allegation saying that government was acting on honesty to curb crime.

UNI