Opposition hits out at Govt

Srinagar, Aug 23: The issue about taking over managing committees of FAT schools in Kashmir led to the allegations and counter-allegations between the political leaders who accused each other of putting people of Kashmir in distress.

A day after the Secretary SED ordered that concerned Deputy Commissioners will take over the managing bodies of 215 FAT schools, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said the move was an “attack on Jammu and Kashmir’s educational system and cultural identity.”

She termed the move as unfortunate and said these educational institutions had maintained a balance between modern and Islamic education.

“These we see very few schools which provide regular education besides Islamic teachings. Thousands of students, teachers and families are connected with these schools,” Mufti said.

Mehbooba Mufti recalled when she received pressure from New Delhi to impose a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and seize their assets.

“Some people had complained in Delhi but I refused to do so but all those actions are being executed by our elected government which got a massive mandate from the people,” she said.

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari denounced the government’s move to enforce ban on Falah-e-Aam Trust schools by taking over their management.

Terming the government’s move “neither necessary nor justified,” Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote on his X handle: “It is deeply regrettable that the elected government has today enforced the ban on Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools by announcing the takeover of their management of 215 schools. Although Jamaat-e-Islami has been banned since 2019, the LG administration refrained from taking over the management of FAT schools. Yet, the elected government, despite enjoying a strong public mandate, has chosen to do so. Rather than assuming direct control, the government could have exercised its authority by establishing clear regulations to safeguard the academic future of students enrolled in these institutions. Enforcing ban in terms of taking over the management of these schools was neither necessary nor justified.”

He went on to add, “One may have political and ideological differences with Jamaat-e-Islami, but it is undeniable that FAT schools have played a positive and commendable role in the education sector over the decades. By imposing a ban on these schools, the government has done a disservice to the education sector and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The fact of the matter is that the ruling party has once again proved its intolerance toward those with whom it has political or ideological differences.”

“Unfortunately, traditional political parties have often been hell-bent on taking vendettas against their rivals. History bears witness to the fact that FAT schools were first banned in 1990, when the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was Union Home Minister. However, at that time, the courts stayed the ban, and the schools were allowed to continue. In 2019, the ban was announced, and six years later, today the NC government moved to implement it,” he added.

“Since this government holds a public mandate, it is its responsibility to respect public sentiment in this matter. It should immediately cancel its decision to take over the management of these schools. Since education falls within the domain of the elected government, there are numerous ways to ensure proper oversight without imposing a ban, allowing FAT schools to operate smoothly. To monitor these schools, the government can establish a regulatory authority to ensure they fully comply with all relevant laws and regulations,” the X post further reads.

Peoples’ Conference chief and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone said, “Shame and shamelessness have assumed new meanings in this government.”

“215 schools forcibly taken over by the J and K Government. And no prizes for guessing. The elected government has passed the order. Shame and shamelessness have assumed new meanings in this government.

“They are setting new standards in servility. And just to recall the sermons the edicts that this party passed against their opponents,” Lone said in a post on X.

He asked the people to be “under no illusions” as the elected government “is a party to all acts undertaken”.

“Be it mailings or termination of employees, they are equal partners. They have been equal partners in the past. And they will be equal partners in the future. This is the A team. This was always the A team,” Lone said, referring to the name-calling of his party by the National Conference (NC) during the assembly elections.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti said JeI has always been the first target of the NC when in power.

“Throughout Kashmir’s history every time the National Conference got a brute majority their first target has always been the Jamaat. Be it 1977 or even today where they have taken it too far by jeopardising the future of thousands of students leaving them in distress,” Mufti said on X.

Referring to the clarification by Education Minister Sakina Itoo that the original order did not mention takeover by deputy commissioners but said that the principals of the nearest higher secondary schools would look after them, the PDP leader stated the “hazy illogical U-turn” from the minister “only exacerbates the crisis.”

“Why not admit what has been their official policy of punishing & outlawing the Jamaat since decades?” she asked.

Another PDP leader, Waheed Para said one of the major successes of the Centre post-abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was integrating JeI into the electoral process.

“This milestone, which could not be achieved through arrests or encounters, was realised during the 2024 elections when the Ameer of Jamaat and JeI members actively fielded candidates.

“This marked a significant step toward transforming and reintegrating a segment of the population that had been exploited by anti-India groups due to decades-long hostility stemming from 1987 onward,” the Pulwama MLA said on X.

“What force could not accomplish, the democratic process and participation successfully achieved,” he said.

However, he said the recent moves like book bans and school takeovers appear to be “knee-jerk reactions” rather than well-thought-out strategies.

“These actions suppress JeI-aligned individuals and close doors for those seeking to emerge from the turmoil of the past two decades. The GOI must provide space, uphold constitutional guarantees, and foster the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir — the only weapon yet to be fully tested in this region,” Para added.

Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC) leadership, particularly Education Minister Sakina Yatoo, over the controversy surrounding the government’s takeover of Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools.

Inam Un Nabi said that by issuing contradictory orders and shifting blame on officials, the NC has “shamelessly played with the careers of more than 51,000 students.” He lambasted the Education Minister, accusing her of being “clueless about her own department’s orders” and compromising the future of innocent students for political mileage.

“Is this what NC got full majority for—to toy with the destiny of our children? Instead of ensuring academic security, the Minister has plunged thousands of FAT students into uncertainty. This is nothing but a betrayal of trust,” Inam Un Nabi said.

He further questioned the NC’s intent, saying that what even BJP could not dare to do in the last decade, NC has executed within months of assuming power. “This reckless move proves that NC values power games more than education and stability for Kashmiri students,” he added.

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