Seminary in Kashmir Declared Unlawful Under Anti-Terror Law

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Kashmir’s Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom Islamic Seminary Declared Unlawful Under Anti-Terror Laws

An order issued by Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg has declared an important Islamic seminary in Indian-administered Kashmir unlawful under anti-terror laws. The decision was based on a police dossier alleging “sustained and covert links” between the seminary and the banned political party Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

The seminary, Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, is one of the largest in southern Kashmir and is recognized by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education. The dossier also cited allegations related to land use and financial transparency.

According to reports, the move was made under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a law that allows authorities to designate someone as a “terrorist” without evidence. Seminary chairman Mohammad Shafi Lone has rejected the allegations, stating that the seminary is a law-abiding institution with no connection to JeI.

Leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir have criticized the move as part of an ongoing campaign by New Delhi to exert control over the region. Several leaders, including Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Mehbooba Mufti, have condemned the decision, calling it a “flagrant injustice” and a “deep-seated prejudice”.

The seminary has more than 800 students and is known for producing doctors, scholars, and professionals from underprivileged backgrounds. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s top Muslim leader, has listed recent alleged incidents against residents, including property seizures and arrests under the Public Safety Act.

Kashmir is a union territory administered by the federal government in New Delhi. The region has seen significant changes since 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government abolished Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted Kashmir partial autonomy over education, employment, and land ownership.

Source: Al Jazeera