J&K Govt Declares Siraj-ul-Uloom Shopian ‘Unlawful Entity’ Under UAPA, Orders Asset Seizure
Shopian, April 27, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, located in Imam Sahib area of Shopian, as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing alleged links with a banned organization, financial irregularities, and misuse of its premises.
The order was issued by Anshul Garg, who stated that the action was based on inputs including a dossier dated March 24, 2026, submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian.
According to the order, the institution, described as one of South Kashmir’s prominent educational establishments, is allegedly linked to the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and its subsidiary Falah-e-Aam Trust.
Authorities have accused the institute of “serious legal, administrative and financial irregularities,” including questionable land acquisition, lack of mandatory registration with competent authorities, and attempts to evade statutory oversight.
“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,” the order states.
The administration said the institution’s claim of innocence and non-involvement in unlawful activities was found “unsustainable,” adding that available material suggested it was aware of such activities and failed to prevent misuse of its premises.
The notification authorizes the concerned District Magistrate to take possession of the institute’s premises and assets. It also directs authorities to arrange for the relocation and admission of students into government schools within the district.
Officials indicated that the move is part of a broader action targeting institutions allegedly linked to banned organizations. Sources said dozens of such educational institutions in the Kashmir Valley have come under scrutiny, with several already shut following adverse reports. [KNT]
Siraj-ul-Uloom Shopian
Available institutional and school registry data indicate that Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom at Imam Sahib, Shopian, was established around 2000 as a private educational institution offering both religious and formal schooling.
The institute has functioned as a partially residential, boys-oriented seminary-school, typically covering classes from middle to secondary level (approximately Grades 5 to 10/12), combining Islamic instruction with state-board academic curriculum.
Educational and Social Contribution:
Locally, the institution evolved into one of South Kashmir’s known seminaries, particularly in the Imam Sahib belt of Shopian. It served multiple roles:
- Religious education hub: imparting Quranic studies, moral instruction, and traditional Islamic scholarship.
- Rural access to schooling: providing structured education in an area where access to private schooling options has historically been limited.
- Academic integration model: combining religious curriculum with English-medium/state-board education, helping students transition into mainstream education streams.
- Community engagement: the institution has hosted awareness initiatives such as drug de-addiction and social awareness programs, indicating outreach beyond classroom teaching.
Over time, it built a steady student base drawn from surrounding villages, contributing to literacy and religious instruction in South Kashmir’s rural belt.
Social Media and Public Reaction to Ban:
The government’s decision to declare the institution unlawful has triggered polarized but substantive debate online:
- Supportive voices argue that regulatory enforcement, financial scrutiny, and oversight of institutions are necessary, especially when linked to security concerns.
- Critical responses focus on the educational disruption, with users highlighting the sudden displacement of students and questioning whether institutional accountability could have been enforced without closure.
- A recurring concern across platforms is the future of enrolled students, with calls for transparent relocation and continuity of education.
Overall, discourse reflects a security versus education debate, rather than a uniform reaction, with both narratives gaining traction across social platforms.
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