Altaf Bukhari slams J&K govt for takeover of 215 FAT schools, calls move “unjustified”

Srinagar, Aug 23: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Saturday slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government for taking over the management of 215 Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools, calling it “neither necessary nor justified.”

In a statement, Bukhari said that although Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) was banned in 2019, the administration under the Lieutenant Governor had refrained from taking direct control of FAT institutions. “Yet, the elected government, despite enjoying a strong public mandate, has chosen to do so,” he said.

Bukhari argued that instead of enforcing a ban through takeover, the government could have established a regulatory mechanism to ensure compliance with laws while safeguarding the academic future of thousands of students. “By imposing a ban on these schools, the government has done a disservice to the education sector and the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.

He acknowledged that one may have political or ideological differences with Jamaat-e-Islami, but said FAT schools have played a commendable role in the education sector for decades. The latest move, according to him, reflects “intolerance toward those with whom the ruling party has political or ideological differences.”

Recalling history, Bukhari pointed out that FAT schools were first banned in 1990 when the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was Union Home Minister. At that time, the courts stayed the ban and allowed the schools to continue. In 2019, another ban was announced, and six years later, the present National Conference (NC) government has acted to enforce it.

“As an elected government with a strong mandate, it is its responsibility to respect public sentiment in this matter. It should immediately revoke the decision and instead create a regulatory authority to monitor FAT schools, ensuring they comply with all relevant laws and regulations,” Bukhari said.