Students of sealed seminary-cum-school hit streets, demand re-opening in Kashmir’s Shopian

Students and parents of Siraj-ul-Uloom, which the administration closed last month under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), took to the streets on Thursday, May 7, 2026, demanding its immediate reopening in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Hundreds of students, along with their parents, took to the streets in south Kashmir and marched towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office. “Most of the students come from poor families. What is the sin of the students? How can the administration decide their future?” said one parent.

Shopian MP Shabir Kullay also joined the protesters and demanded steps to ensure that students’ careers are not affected. More than 800 students are enrolled in the seminary.

Mr. Kullay said, “Illegal activities should not be tolerated. However, the future of innocent students should not be harmed. It is unfortunate that the institute is closed.”

He said the government should intervene to “ensure that students do not suffer academic loss.”

The district administration is working on admission of students to nearby schools, officials said.

On April 28, the seminary and the school were sealed under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The move was made after District Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, using his powers under Section 8(1), issued an official order citing alleged links with Jamaat-e-Islami, a banned organisation, financial irregularities and concerns over misuse of institution facilities, officials said.

The seminary, which is considered one of the largest in South Kashmir, has 102 staff in its multi-storey buildings.

The move was criticized by regional political parties, including Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari, J&K People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone and Kashmir chief cleric Sajad Lone.