J&K school declared 'unlawful entity' under UAPA

J&K administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a prominent seminary in Shopian district of southern Kashmir, as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, citing its alleged links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami.

The order was issued by Kashmir divisional commissioner Anshul Garg under UAPA's Section 8(1) following a dossier submitted by Shopian SSP. The administration said upon "examination of records and material on file, authorities concluded that the institution, while ostensibly functioning as a religious educational establishment, was marred by serious legal, administrative and financial irregularities ...These included questionable land acquisition, lack of mandatory registration with competent authorities, and deliberate attempts to evade statutory oversight," read the order.

People's Conference chief Sajad Lone said: "The move to declare Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopian, as an unlawful entity is deeply concerning. This has now become a trend. And it is dangerous. Selective targeting has not worked in the past and will not work now. I wonder why all the laws are meant for the most helpless."


Mirwaiz Farooq said Siraj-ul-Uloom is a leading educational institute with a rich legacy of serving the underprivileged and producing scholars, doctors, engineers, and professionals.