J&K: Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom declared unlawful entity under UAPA
Srinagar: Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom was declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after 17 of its alumni joined terrorist ranks, police said, to put to rest speculations that the action had been taken against a Muslim seminary.
Officials said on Tuesday that Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district was declared an unlawful entity under the UAPA after its 17 alumni joined terrorist ranks and were later killed in separate encounters.
“As many as 17 former students of the institution joined terrorist ranks and were later killed in separate encounters, indicating a consistent pattern of indoctrination and recruitment,” an official said without agreeing to be named.
On April 24, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg issued a two-page order based on a dossier presented by Shopian Senior Superintendent of Police, Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary, pointing toward the alleged illegal activities at Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom at Imam Sahib in the Shopian district.
According to the order, there was “credible input and evidence on record to indicated sustained and covert linkages of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami”, which the Centre banned in 2019.
The order said that individuals affiliated with the banned outfit had de-facto control of the institution, including their placement in key administrative and academic positions.
It said the institution, over time, fostered an environment conducive to radicalisation, with many alumni involved in terror activities.
However, Mohammad Shafi Lone, Chairman of the institute, said they had no links with Jamaat-e-Islami or any illegal outfit.
“We are a law-abiding institute and have nothing to do with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami. There are 814 students currently enrolled in the school, which is affiliated with the Board of School Education and Kashmir School Federation,” Lone told reporters.
He said the institution had received a show-cause notice from the authorities last month, and duly replied.
“If the authorities still have any doubts, they should constitute a committee and investigate the allegations against our institution. If these allegations are found true, we will support the government in whatever action it decides to take,” Lone added.
The official said security agencies have, over time, generated adverse reports suggesting the institution’s involvement in activities prejudicial to the national security and integrity of the state.
“Input further indicated the existence of a support environment that enabled and encouraged unlawful and anti-national activities. Many close relatives of slain terrorists are holding key positions in the Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom,” Lone said.
The official said that to evade legal action, members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami were operating through proxies and covertly running their agenda.
Seminaries like the Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom at Shopian have often been affiliated to the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami.