A prominent educational institute of South Kashmir, Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, Imam Sahib has been attached and declared an unlawful entity.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing alleged links with a banned organization and several irregularities
The order, issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, was based on multiple inputs, including a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian.
According to the order issued by Garg on April 24, there were “credible inputs and evidence on record, to indicate sustained and covert linkages of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, which the Government of India banned in 2019.
The order said there was a de facto control of the institution by individuals affiliated with the banned outfit, including their placement in key administrative and academic positions.
It said that a number of pass-outs from the institution were found to be involved in militant activities and acts prejudicial to national security.
The dossier also raised the issues of financial opacity, suspicious handling of institutional funds, and changes in financial control structures, raising apprehensions of diversion and misuse of funds.
“The cumulative facts and circumstances, supported by intelligence inputs and field verification, provide sufficient grounds to reasonably believe that the premises are being used for the purposes of an unlawful association,” it added.
Siraj-ul-Uloom chairman Mohammad Shafi expressed astonishment at the sudden announcement stating that he had already submitted a detailed response to the show-cause notice. He added that the institute is recognized by the Board of School Education and the associated college is affiliated to the University of Kashmir. He further asserted that the institute is not involved in any unlawful activity and follows all government rules and regulations. Further he denied any links with the banned Jamaat e Islami and assured that the place belongs to a Sufi saint.
J&K Politicians react…
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said declaring Dar Ul Uloom Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian an unlawful entity under the UAPA was a “flagrant injustice” to the underprivileged sections of society. She also alleged that banning such “altruistic institutions” without any solid evidence of anti-national activity “shows a deep-seated prejudice and ill intention”.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote on his X handle: “I urge the government to reconsider the ban on Dar-ul-Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian. Thousands of students should not suffer for decisions beyond their control. Around 10,000 students depend on this institution for their education and future.”
He further said, “This institution does not have a record of producing individuals who choose the path of violence. Even if a few isolated cases exist, they are exceptions. No institution in the country, including the Army schools, is completely free from such rare deviations.”
