J&K government takes over schools affiliated to banned Jamaat

The decision was taken after reports revealed the managing committees had expired or were adversely reported upon by security agencies

SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir government ordered on Friday the “takeover of the managing committees of 215 schools affiliated with the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its educational wing Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT)”.The order cites concerns flagged by intelligence agencies that they were found directly or indirectly affiliated with proscribed JeI and FAT. Deputy commissioners will take over management and take appropriate steps to ensure the “academic career” of the students is not affected in any manner, the order says.The order, issued late Friday, drew strong reactions in the Valley. “Shame and shamelessness have assumed new meanings in this govt,” Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone wrote on X.PDP legislator Waheed Parra said Omar Abdullah’s govt “should leave schools at least”, and described the order as “unfortunate, undemocratic and derogatory”.”They are setting new standards in servility… Be under no illusions. This elected govt is party to all acts undertaken. Be it mailings or termination of employees, they are equal partners…,” Lone said, calling NC BJP’s A-team. According to the order issued by Ram Niwas Sharma, secretary, school education department, the decision was taken after reports revealed the managing committees of these schools had expired or were adversely reported upon by security agencies. J&K education minister Sakina Itoo told TOI that the order had many mistakes that would be corrected. “We have directed that the nearest govt principal will look after these schools, and the order will be reviewed after three months. Both students and teachers of these schools will remain in place.””We never stated that the deputy commissioner concerned will take over these schools. It is the nearest govt school principal who will look after it… There is no takeover and there is no role of deputy commissioners,” the minster said.The larger issue is that there are 55,000 students and a significant number of teachers in these schools, she said, adding the Board of School Education was refusing to accept their examination forms after Jamaat-e-Islami was banned, putting children’s futures at risk.