Siraj-ul-Aloom, one of Kashmir’s largest seminaries, declared ‘unlawful entity’

The Jammu and Kashmir administration declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a prominent Islamic seminary in Shopian district of south Kashmir, an unlawfu...

What Happened

The Jammu and Kashmir administration declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a prominent Islamic seminary in Shopian district of south Kashmir, an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
The order was issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, on April 24, 2026, based on a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian.
Authorities cited alleged covert linkages with Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), which was banned by the Central Government in 2019, as well as administrative and financial irregularities.
The order noted that 17 alumni of the institution had subsequently joined militant ranks and were killed in separate counterinsurgency operations.
The declaration enables action including sealing of premises and freezing of the seminary's financial assets.
The seminary chairman denied all charges, stating the institution is law-abiding, currently enrolls 814 students, and is affiliated with the Board of School Education and the Kashmir School Federation.

Static Topic Bridges

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

The UAPA is India's primary anti-terrorism and anti-secession legislation. Originally enacted in 1967 to deal with secessionist activities, it has been significantly amended in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019. The 2019 amendment controversially expanded its scope to allow designation of individuals — not just organisations — as terrorists.

Section 3: Central Government may, by gazette notification, declare any association "unlawful" if it believes the association is engaged in, or supports, unlawful activities.
The notification must specify the grounds of declaration; the government may withhold facts it considers against public interest to disclose.
Within 30 days of the declaration, the government must refer the matter to an independent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal for adjudication.
The Tribunal gives the association an opportunity to show cause within 30 days and must deliver its order within six months.
If the Tribunal confirms the declaration, it remains in force for five years and may be renewed.
Consequences include banning the association's activities, seizure of assets, and criminal liability for members.

Connection to this news: The Divisional Commissioner's order invoked UAPA Section 3 to declare the seminary unlawful. Under the Act, the government now has 30 days to refer this declaration to the Tribunal, which will determine whether sufficient cause exists to sustain it.

Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir (JeI-K) and the Ban

Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) is a socio-religious organisation with roots in the broader Jamaat-e-Islami movement. It was banned by the Central Government in February 2019 for five years under UAPA, with the ban renewed in 2024, on grounds that it promotes secessionism and maintains links with militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

JeI-K was founded in 1953 and historically ran an extensive network of educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley.
The 2019 ban followed a major security operation in which hundreds of JeI members were detained.
Organisations linked to JeI have been subjected to sustained scrutiny under anti-terror legislation.
The current case involves alleged covert (not open) affiliation with JeI, suggesting continued underground influence despite the ban.

Connection to this news: The core allegation against the seminary is that it maintained sustained and covert links with the banned JeI, effectively functioning as an indirect extension of a proscribed organisation.

Preventive Detention and Educational Institutions

India's internal security framework distinguishes between punitive action (requiring trial) and preventive/administrative action (requiring only reasonable grounds). Declaring an organisation unlawful under UAPA is an administrative act, subject to Tribunal review — not a criminal conviction.

The declaration of an association as unlawful does not automatically mean members are guilty of any offence; continued membership after the Tribunal confirms the ban becomes an offence under Section 10 of UAPA.
Educational institutions have been subjected to such declarations before; authorities must demonstrate that the institution's primary or substantial activities constitute "unlawful activities" under Section 2(o) of the Act.
The right to education under Article 21A (for children) and Article 19(1)(g) (right to practise any profession) can be affected when institutions are shut down.

Connection to this news: The seminary's closure pending Tribunal proceedings raises questions about the 814 enrolled students and the balance between security imperatives and educational rights.

Key Facts & Data

Institution: Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopian, south Kashmir — described as one of Kashmir's largest seminaries.
Order date: April 24, 2026, by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
Legal basis: UAPA, 1967 — Section 3 (declaration of unlawful associations).
JeI ban: Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) was originally banned in February 2019 and the ban was renewed in 2024.
Consequences: Premises can be sealed; financial assets can be frozen.
Tribunal process: Government must refer to UAPA Tribunal within 30 days; Tribunal must decide within six months.
Student strength: 814 students currently enrolled, per the seminary chairman.
Precedent: 17 alumni are reported to have joined militant outfits and were killed in encounters.
UAPA amendment 2019: Added power to designate individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists — a significant expansion of the law's scope.