Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a school in south Kashmir’s Shopian, was recently declared an “unlawful entity” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). For over a decade, the school had functioned with permissions, renewals and affiliations granted by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the University of Kashmir, documents exclusively accessed by The Wire reveal.A 2013 order issued by the J&K Higher Education Department granted permission to the Siraj-ul-Uloom Educational Society, Imam Sahib, Shopian, to run a degree college from the 2014–15 academic session. The order stated that the institution would be eligible for affiliation with the University of Kashmir, subject to compliance with norms prescribed by the government and the university.Subsequent records show that the institution received periodic affiliation from the University of Kashmir for its BA Fazilat programme. In 2015–16, the university granted temporary affiliation with an approved intake capacity of 60 students, subject to fulfilment of specified conditions.A letter from University of Kashmir in 2024, confirming the affiliation to the school for three years. The approvals were generally sought and granted annually.A 2016 communication from the university confirmed continuation of affiliation for the 2016–17 academic session, again with a sanctioned intake of 60 seats. The approval followed an inspection committee report and required the institution to meet conditions relating to infrastructure, faculty and administrative processes.One of the conditions mentioned in the communications from University of Kashmir, approving affiliation with it for the 2016-17 BA Fazilat course, includes that Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, Imam Shah, Shopian would obtain a “fresh and valid no-objection certificate” of the government for running the course. This was duly granted to it, at least until 2023.Documents from 2020 reviewed by The Wire indicate that the university renewed the institution’s affiliation and permitted the introduction of additional subjects, including history and political science, within the B.A. Fazilat degree programme. The renewal remained subject to compliance with university statutes and regulatory requirements.Further records show that the University of Kashmir granted retrospective renewal of affiliation for the academic sessions 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24. The approvals were based on inspection reports and included conditions such as appointment of qualified faculty, payment of salaries through bank channels, and infrastructure upgrades including laboratory and library facilities.Recent renewalsIn April 2023, the J&K Higher Education Department issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) permitting renewal of the institution’s operations. The NOC directed the affiliating university to ensure that all statutory requirements were met before granting affiliation. Going by the documents, it can be ascertained that the school followed a process of applying for yearly renewals, which were always approved.Across these documents, the institution is shown to have been subject to periodic inspections and compliance requirements. Conditions attached to affiliation included development of library resources, installation of computer laboratory infrastructure, provision of facilities for persons with disabilities, adherence to safety norms and maintenance of prescribed academic standards.Permit from the Higher Education Department from 2023, clearing Siraj-ul-Uloom, Imam Shah, Shopian, to teach the BA Fazilat (advanced Arabic studies) course, in affiliation with Kashmir University for the 2022-23 academic session.The recent designation of the institution as an “unlawful entity” follows a recommendation by the district police under provisions of the UAPA. The order effectively prohibits the functioning of the institution.A show-cause notice issued to the institution preceded the declaration. In its written response, Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom has contested the recommendation. The reply states that the institution has “never been affiliated with any anti-national organisation or group” and has not engaged in any unlawful activity. It further states that there is “not a single piece of evidence, record, or incident” demonstrating involvement in activities that would attract provisions of the UAPA.The institution, with 600 students enrolled, has also stated that the show-cause notice does not specify the allegations in detail. According to the reply, the absence of “specific, cogent or credible evidence” has limited its ability to respond to the charges.The response further states that the institution has maintained records of its administration, financial transactions, student enrolment and curriculum, and that these are available for scrutiny by competent authorities. Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom has sought withdrawal of the recommendation to declare it an unlawful entity and has requested that proceedings initiated under the UAPA be dropped.The ban comes nearly a year after the administration took action against institutions linked to the Falah-e-Aam Trust in Jammu and Kashmir, which were taken over citing alleged associations with Jamaat E Islami.Before being banned in 2019, the Jamaat consisted of an organised system of more than 250 schools in J&K through its educational wing, the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), took credit for educating around one lakh students since the 1970s. The FAT was a charity run foundation, with several children receiving free of cost and even subsidised education.Post the reading down of Article 370, private educational institutions, particularly those under the FAT, have faced setbacks and scrutiny of the police administration for alleged terror links. While placing bans and take over orders for FAT schools, authorities had similarly referred to security inputs and alleged links, though detailed evidence has still not been made public. On April 17, as well the J&K administration took over 58 more private schools allegedly affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami.Officials have not publicly detailed the specific grounds on which the recommendation in the present case was made. The order refers to inputs received by authorities but does not disclose the material relied upon. The ban has implications for students enrolled in the institution. According to figures cited in media reports, several hundred students are currently affected by the closure of the institution.The notice served to Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, following the recommendation to notifiy it an ‘unlawful’ entity under UAPA. The notice cites “principal [sic] of natural justice” as why it had an “opportunity of being heard”.The case involves an institution that, according to official records, had been functioning within the regulatory framework of the Higher Education Department and the University of Kashmir until at least the 2023–24 academic session.‘No grounds for UAPA’Firdous Baba, chief of Kashmir Sewa Sangh (KSS), an independent organisation which also heads the Kashmir Schools Federation, believes that the ban is unreasonable and illogical.“We through the KSS have visited and granted membership to several schools in Kashmir. Even at Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, we ourselves conducted tiranga rallies, sang national anthem with children. There is nothing objectionable happening in the institution. Our team has personally verified the school, there was no complaint, FIR, or any objection of any kind till date. Even in the show cause notice, the administration has not named the objectionable activity that promoted them to shut the school. Maybe they didn’t know the school is also affiliated with us?” Baba told The Wire.Baba is one of the trustees of the Sai Mandir Sansthan project in Kashmir. The Sai Mandir Sansthan, Gujarat, is working in Kashmir to promote unity and harmony in the valley, Baba said.He argues that students and parents have been totally distressed at the recent developments. “In the last four days, hundred students left the school. My argument is that if there is some person committing unlawful activities, arrest them – why shut the whole school? If someone from Kashmir University joins militancy, will you hunt the militant or shut down the university? Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom has produced several well-placed professionals, many in police, many in MNCs. Will the police put UAPA on them too? That also without any evidence against the school?” Baba argued.Chairman of Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, Mohd Shafi Lone also said that the institution had no links with Jamaat, urging the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to reconsider the decision declaring it unlawful. He stated that the institution is recognised by JKBOSE, the erstwhile state’s board of school education, and University of Kashmir and, since 2025, has been a member of the Kashmir Schools Federation, which is part of KSS.The legal team of KSS is in the process of filing an appeal against the order of divisional commissioner Kashmir regarding the closure of the institutions.“We are contesting the grounds on which the institution was shut; without any evidence and without any material on record or in shape of documents which ascertain [lead to] this consolidated conclusion that the institute is doing anything illegal or any action which is against the national interest and against the sovereignty of the country,” KSS’ legal representative Advocate Shibli Ashraf said.