Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday urged the government to reconsider its decision to ban Darul Uloom in Shopian.
Pertinently, the J&K administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing alleged links with the banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami and concerns over radicalisation.
Expressing his concern over the administration‘s decision, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote on his X handle: “I urge the government to reconsider the ban on Dar-ul-Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian. Thousands of students should not suffer for decisions beyond their control. Around 10,000 students depend on this institution for their education and future.”
He further said, “This institution does not have a record of producing individuals who choose the path of violence. Even if a few isolated cases exist, they are exceptions. No institution in the country, including the Army schools, is completely free from such rare deviations.”
“This is also a matter of fact that the individuals who were previously affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami later established a political party, the Justice and Development Front (JDF), and it was registered by the Election Commission of India. If they were allowed to move forward, why should the students be made to suffer? Therefore, the government must reconsider its decision. This issue must be in a constructive way. Setting up a proper management body to oversee the institution would be a fair and practical step to ensure that students do not suffer and their education continues without disruption,” the post reads.
“Actions like banning such educational institutions will only deepen alienation and grievances. What is needed is to bridge the trust deficit. The situation calls for reconciliation and meaningful confidence-building measures (CBMs) to ensure lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir,” Bukhari wrote.
