JAMMU: The J&K administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing alleged links with banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami and concerns over radicalisation, according to officials. This is not an isolated incident of picking up one school, college or seminary alone as such actions are being constantly initiated against suspicious entities after due vetting by various intelligence agencies.
The declaration was made through an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg under Section 8 (1) of the UAPA. This section empowers a duly designated authority to notify place or places used for the purpose of an unlawful association.
Incidentally, the Home Department of the Union Territory (UT) of J&K is under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. As such, to a large extent, political pressures from local legislators, be they MLAs or MPs, does not work in such cases wherein some action is warranted against such individuals or organisations.
According to the order, the action follows a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, a month ago on March 24, 2026. Authorities, after examining records and material on file, said the institution, though functioning as a religious educational establishment, was marked by legal, administrative and financial irregularities. Several Kashmiri journalists have expressed a variety of opinions by articulating their thoughts in social media posts, mainly X.
The police report against the institution said that there were alleged irregularities in land acquisition, lack of mandatory registration with competent authorities and attempts to evade statutory oversight, the order said. It further cited “credible inputs” indicating sustained and covert links of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned by the Centre in 2019.
The order also alleged continued control of the seminary by individuals affiliated with the banned organisation, including their presence in administrative and academic roles. Despite strict action being taken against dozens of individuals, many of have still escaped the dragnet of law.
Officials said financial irregularities, including lack of transparency in fund management and changes in financial control structures, raised concerns about possible diversion and misuse of funds.
The order also referred to reports suggesting that some former students of the institution were allegedly involved in militant activities, and that the premises were being used in a manner prejudicial to national security.
The administration said due process was followed before issuing the notification. A show-cause notice was served to the chairman of the institution on March 31, seeking an explanation. The response was examined and comments were sought from the SSP Shopian Mushtaq Ahmad Chowdhary, who termed the objections from the institution “untenable”.
The order said the proceedings were preventive in nature and aimed at curbing misuse of the premises for unlawful activities. Invoking provisions of the UAPA, the administration has notified the institution as an unlawful entity, enabling further action, including sealing of the premises and freezing of financial assets.
Officials said action against the institution, including possible seizure of the premises, is likely in the coming days. It may be recalled that at least 58 schools allegedly affiliated to Jamaat e Islami Kashmir were taken over by the administration recently. Similar action had been taken against many schools earlier too.
