The administration of King George’s Medical University in Lucknow has issued notices declaring six shrines located on its campus illegal and has set February 6, 2026, as the final deadline for a response from the shrine committee.
The university administration stated that if no satisfactory reply or valid documentary proof is submitted by the deadline, demolition proceedings will begin. Notices were pasted on six structures identified as allegedly illegal within the campus.
The administration said the shrine committee had earlier been given 15 days to respond, with the deadline expiring on February 6. It added that any claim that the shrines predate the establishment of the university must be supported by concrete evidence and documents.
According to the administration, the campus has a total of eight shrines, of which six have been served notices. Officials said the matter had previously been taken to court and that the legal process was initiated only after a court ruling in the university’s favour.
The administration stated that illegal construction on university land is not permissible, that the campus is meant for education, research, and medical services, and that construction of any religious structure without legal permission is considered illegal. It added that the action is against illegal occupation and violation of rules, and not against any religious sentiment.
The shrine committee has claimed that the shrines are several decades old and existed before the university was established.
The issue has drawn political responses, with leaders from different parties visiting the campus. The state Congress president criticised the state government, describing the action as being against religious sentiments. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said the matter is purely legal and administrative and should not be politicised.
Religious leaders have also issued statements. Maulana Firangi Mehendi said the shrines existed before the university and should not be removed. Maharaj Vishnu Das said that if the shrines are as old as claimed, documentary proof should be submitted to the university administration and that decisions should not be based only on claims.
