The Indian government has taken another controversial action against Kashmiri Muslims by illegal banning the well-known educational institution Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to an official statement, the Divisional Commissioner has issued an order declaring the institution unlawful and instructing authorities to seize all of its assets. The move effectively shuts down the historic seminary, which has long been recognised as a prominent centre of Islamic education in the region.
The institution is regarded as one of the old and respected religious seminaries serving the Muslim community in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision has sparked criticism, with concerns being raised over religious freedom and civil liberties. Observers have termed the action as another example of increasing restrictions on religious institutions in the region, calling it part of a broader pattern of alleged religious intolerance.
Authorities have not yet issued a detailed public justification regarding the specific grounds for the closure beyond the UAPA designation.
Kashmiri freedom fighters kill 3 Indian soldiers, take 1 hostage
Earlier, Kashmiri freedom fighters killed three Indian soldiers and took one hostage in a fresh attack in the Rajouri sector in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK), according to the reports.
According to reports, the Freedom Fighters targeted the Indian, where three Indian personnel were killed during the clash. One of them was captured alive.
Cordon and search operations and house raids have increased in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They are becoming a routine in the heavily militarised region.
These actions are being carried out as part of the Indian government’s claims of “normalcy” under the Modi-led administration, reports say.
Situation in IIOJK
According to a report by Kashmir Media Service, Indian forces, including the army, paramilitary, and police not sparing women and children, who were reportedly facing harassment during these operations.
The report also stated that young people were being arrested, while homes and private properties were being seized or destroyed.
Authorities said these actions were aimed at controlling drug-related activities and maintaining law and order in the disputed region.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference strongly condemned the escalating wave of arbitrary arrests in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
They called it a systematic campaign to suppress the Kashmiri people’s legitimate demand for the right to self-determination.
According to media sources, APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas said in a statement in Srinagar that Indian troops and police are carrying out frequent raids and arresting Kashmiris.
This is being done in order to terrorise the population and silence the voices of freedom.
It said that in the latest crackdown, at least 13 students have been arrested over the past two days in the Sopore area of north Kashmir, reports say.
The APHC further said, ‘the continued use of draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) reflects New Delhi’s policy of arbitrary detentions and collective punishment.’
