Students protest ban on Siraj-ul-Uloom

SRINAGAR: Hundreds of students and parents hit the streets in south Kashmir’s Shopian Thursday against the closure of Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom. J&K authorities had declared the Shopian-based educational institute unlawful last month over alleged links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami and charges of “fostering an environment conducive to radicalisation”.

The protesters demanded reopening of the institution and expressed concern over their future. It was the first major protest since the closure on April 27. Siraj-ul-Uloom runs a school and a college, affiliated to University of Kashmir. Both have over 800 students.

“If they (authorities) want corrective measures like removing the management and changing teachers, let them do it. But the institution shouldn’t be closed as it will impact a large number of students,” Shopian’s Independent MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay said.

Former PDP legislator Aijaz Ahmad Mir echoed the concern. “Education is a fundamental right. The students should never be made to suffer due to circumstances beyond their control,” Mir said.