J&K seminary Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom banned under UAPA after 17 alumni joined terror ranks
Synopsis
A Shopian seminary with 814 enrolled students has been declared unlawful under UAPA — not for its faith, authorities stress, but because 17 of its alumni joined terrorist ranks and were killed in encounters, and its leadership allegedly has covert ties to the Centre-banned Jamaat-e-Islami. The seminary's chairman has denied all charges and invited a government inquiry.
Key Takeaways
Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir declared an unlawful entity under UAPA on 24 April 2025 .
17 alumni of the seminary joined terrorist ranks and were killed in separate encounters, according to officials.
The order cites "sustained and covert linkages" with Jamaat-e-Islami , banned by the Centre in 2019 .
Seminary Chairman Mohammad Shafi Lone denied all links to banned outfits and said 814 students are currently enrolled.
Lone has invited authorities to constitute a committee to investigate the allegations.
Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom, a seminary in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, was declared an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after 17 of its alumni joined terrorist ranks and were subsequently killed in separate encounters, police said on Tuesday, 29 April 2025. Authorities clarified that the action was taken on grounds of national security and alleged links to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, not because the institution is a Muslim seminary.
The Order and Its Basis
On 24 April 2025, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg issued a two-page order based on a dossier presented by Shopian Senior Superintendent of Police Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary. The order cited "credible input and evidence on record" indicating "sustained and covert linkages" between the institution, located at Imam Sahib in Shopian, and Jamaat-e-Islami, which the Centre banned in 2019.
According to the order, individuals affiliated with the banned outfit had de-facto control of the institution, including placement in key administrative and academic positions. The seminary, the order stated, had "over time, fostered an environment conducive to radicalisation, with many alumni involved in terror activities."
The Pattern of Recruitment Cited by Officials
An unnamed official said, "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." Security agencies had, over time, generated adverse reports suggesting the institution's involvement in activities prejudicial to national security, the official added.
The official further stated that "many close relatives of slain terrorists are holding key positions" at the seminary, and that members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami were "operating through proxies and covertly running their agenda" to evade legal action. Notably, authorities have pointed out that seminaries in Shopian have historically been affiliated with the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami.
Seminary Chairman Denies All Allegations
Mohammad Shafi Lone, Chairman of Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom, denied any links to banned organisations. "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.
Lone said the institution had received a show-cause notice from authorities last month and had 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," he added.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
The UAPA ban on Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom comes amid a broader crackdown on institutions allegedly linked to Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir since the outfit's proscription in 2019. The UAPA allows the government to declare any association unlawful if it is believed to be engaged in or supporting activities against the sovereignty and integrity of India.
The seminary's management is expected to challenge the order through legal channels. Whether a government-constituted inquiry committee — as requested by Lone — will be formed remains to be seen, and its outcome could have significant implications for the 814 students currently enrolled.
Point of View
Killed in encounters, relatives holding key positions — mirrors the template used to justify earlier crackdowns on Jamaat-e-Islami affiliates in the Valley. Yet the seminary's chairman has offered a credible counter-demand: a formal inquiry. If the government's dossier is as robust as claimed, an independent committee would only strengthen its case. The absence of a transparent process risks conflating legitimate security action with institutional overreach — a perception the state cannot afford if it is serious about winning hearts in the Valley.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jamia Siraj Ul-Uloom declared unlawful under UAPA?
The seminary was declared unlawful under UAPA because 17 of its alumni reportedly joined terrorist ranks and were killed in encounters, and authorities cited credible evidence of covert links to the Centre-banned Jamaat-e-Islami. The order was issued on 24 April 2025 by Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg.
What is the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)?
The UAPA is an Indian anti-terror law that allows the government to declare any association unlawful if it is believed to support activities against the sovereignty and integrity of India. Designation under UAPA can lead to seizure of assets and restrictions on the organisation's activities.
What has the seminary's management said in response?
Chairman Mohammad Shafi Lone denied all links to Jamaat-e-Islami or any illegal outfit, saying the institution is law-abiding and has 814 enrolled students. He has invited the government to constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations.
Who is Jamaat-e-Islami and why was it banned?
Jamaat-e-Islami is an Islamist organisation that was banned by the Centre in 2019 under UAPA for allegedly supporting separatism and having links to militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Several institutions in the Valley have historically been associated with the outfit.
What happens to the 814 students currently enrolled at the seminary?
The immediate impact on the 814 enrolled students remains unclear. The seminary is affiliated with the Board of School Education and Kashmir School Federation, and the management is expected to pursue legal remedies against the ban order.
