FCCU rector clarifies position on Ewing Hall renovation and rental dispute

I welcome the opportunity to provide a further update on my earlier comments made regarding the situation at Ewing Hall in Anarkali, the historical structure long associated with Forman Christian College (A Chartered University). I also welcome the positive news of an apparent commitment on the part of all concerned to renovate and preserve Ewing Hall, not demolish it.

Regarding comments appearing in social and other media, two items need to be highlighted:

First, Forman has challenged the payment of rental fees for the nationalization period covering approximately three decades; from our perspective, it does not seem either morally or legally logical for FCCU to be charged rent throughout most of the nationalization period when the government itself controlled the Ewing Hall property.

Second, FCCU has challenged the payment of rental fees in later years that are seemingly calculated on a commercial basis; from our perspective, it is contradictory for FCCU as a non-profit educational institution to on the one hand be tasked with using Ewing Hall for educational purposes and on the other hand be charged commercial rates for doing so.

As regards the show-cause notice issued in March 2026, FCCU did in fact respond to it; however, the notice received by FCCU only included a cover letter, not the detailed list of charges on which the show-cause notice was based — that document was not provided to Forman until the day after the property was seized and even then through an informal e-mail attachment, not an official notification.

It is inaccurate to state that the hostel has been abandoned and unused from 2015 onwards. In fact, it was used at least until 2018 — at which time concerns were expressed about the structural integrity of the building, leading to a decision by the then-Rector to vacate students to ensure their safety, at least until a thorough and credible engineering assessment could be undertaken.

This was followed by Covid-19, after which FCCU under the new Rector, commissioned the said structural assessment at a cost of nearly five million rupees. This lengthy, meticulous, and comprehensive technical study was completed in March 2026. At the same time, FCCU conducted discussions with the Walled City Authority to launch a renovation of the facade.

FCCU’s key stance for not using Ewing Hall was the safety of its students — and yet, it seems, FCCU is being penalized for putting “safety first”.

FCCU fully supports ongoing government efforts to preserve Ewing Hall and seeks a partnership in which the historic role of Ewing Hall is strengthened and maintained as an FCCU Hostel, thereby achieving the vital educational purpose of providing a “home away from home” for Forman students in which all faiths, socio-economic groups, and geographic regions are respected, honored, and represented.