J&K government’s takeover of 215 FAT-affiliated schools sparks political firestorm

From politics to classrooms, the takeover of FAT schools is reshaping Kashmir’s education and sparking accusations of central interference

By
Chandra Maurya
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From politics to classrooms, the takeover of FAT schools is reshaping Kashmir’s education and sparking accusations of central interference
From politics to classrooms, the takeover of FAT schools is reshaping Kashmir’s education and sparking accusations of central interference

Omar Abdullah govt orders takeover of FAT schools amid security concerns

A fierce political controversy has erupted in the Kashmir Valley after the Omar Abdullah-led government issued an order to take over the management of 215 schools affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its educational wing, the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT).

The decision has invited sharp political reactions from the opposition parties, demanding an immediate rollback of the decision.

The order, issued on Friday by Ram Niwas Sharma, Secretary of the School Education Department (SED), cited notifications from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) dated February 28, 2019, and February 27, 2024, which declared JeI an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The directive stated that intelligence agencies had identified the 215 schools as being directly or indirectly linked to the proscribed JeI and FAT. It further noted that the managing committees of these schools had either expired or were flagged adversely by security agencies.

The order mandates that District Magistrates (DMs) or Deputy Commissioners (DCs) take over the schools’ management and propose fresh, verified managing committees in due course.

Political backlash and opposition outcry

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have accused the National Conference (NC)-led government of acting with undue haste and aligning with the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the move as an “attack on Islamic institutions” run by FAT, demanding an immediate rollback of what she called “arbitrary orders.” Mufti’s remarks underscored concerns about the broader implications for community-run educational institutions in the region.

People’s Conference president and MLA Sajad Lone was even more scathing, describing the takeover as a “blatant display of political overreach and servility.”

Interacting with the media in Srinagar, Lone remarked, “215 schools forcibly taken over by the J&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.” Lone accused the NC of being an “equal partner” in controversial actions, including employee terminations, and labeled the government the “A team” of the central administration.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned the government’s “hazy, illogical U-turn,” referencing Education Minister Sakina Itoo’s clarification that the original plan did not involve a full takeover.

PDP’s Wahid-ur-Rehman Parra further criticized the move as a “knee-jerk reaction,” arguing that such actions suppress JeI-aligned individuals and hinder democratic processes in J&K.

Altaf Bukhari, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, echoed Mufti’s sentiments, calling the takeover “neither necessary nor justified.” Bukhari noted that while JeI was banned in 2019, the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) administration had previously refrained from seizing control of FAT schools. “Yet, the elected government, despite enjoying a strong public mandate, has chosen to do so,” he said, arguing that a regulatory mechanism could have ensured compliance without disrupting the education sector. Bukhari warned that the move risks doing a “disservice” to the education of thousands of students.

Education Minister’s clarification and internal discord

Adding to the controversy, Education Minister Sakina Itoo distanced herself from the final order, claiming it misrepresented her approved proposal. Itoo stated that her draft had specified that principals of nearby higher secondary schools would temporarily oversee the FAT-affiliated institutions until their managing committees were verified, not the DCs, as mentioned in the order.

“The file approved by me had clearly mentioned that the principal of the nearby higher secondary school would look after these institutions. This is not mentioned in the file approved by me,” Itoo said, highlighting a disconnect between her intentions and the actions of the SED, which is overseen by an IAS officer reporting to the LG.

Itoo explained that the decision was driven by concerns over the academic future of approximately 51,363 students enrolled in these schools. She noted that the schools faced challenges due to expired managing committees and negative verification reports from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

This had created issues for students, particularly in registering for board exams for grades 9 through 12, as the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) had withheld their forms. “To save the career of the children, we decided that the principal of the nearest higher secondary school will look after these FAT schools as in-charge,” Itoo clarified, emphasizing that the teachers, students, and infrastructure would remain unchanged.

On-ground implementation

On Saturday morning, district administration teams, accompanied by police and principals of nearby higher secondary schools, began the process of taking over the management of the 215 schools across 10 districts in the Kashmir Valley, with Baramulla (53 schools), Anantnag (37 schools), and Kupwara (36 schools) having the highest numbers. According to officials, the process was conducted “peacefully and smoothly,” with administrative teams inspecting documents and infrastructure while ensuring minimal disruption to classes.

The government has assured that the education of the 51,363 students and the jobs of nearly 4,000 staff, including teachers and non-teaching employees, will remain secure.

The schools, established by FAT in 1972 to provide both Islamic and modern education under the state syllabus, have long been popular in semi-urban and rural areas of Kashmir. However, their affiliation with JeI, banned under the UAPA for alleged links to militant organizations and subversive activities, has subjected them to repeated scrutiny. Since 2022, FAT schools have faced restrictions on new admissions, and some were merged with government schools in districts like Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag, and Ganderbal.

Tensions set to increase between Omar and LG Manoj Sinha

The takeover has reignited tensions between the elected NC government and the LG-led administration, with critics arguing that it reflects a broader pattern of central government influence over local governance. The move follows other controversial actions, such as the seizure of 668 JeI-linked books by J&K police in February 2025, further fueling accusations of targeting community institutions.

The FAT schools, which serve around 60,000 students across the Valley and parts of Jammu, have been a cornerstone of education in underserved areas. Critics like Bukhari argue that a blanket takeover risks destabilizing the education sector and alienating communities, while the government maintains that the action is necessary to ensure compliance with legal and security standards.

As the controversy unfolds, the Omar Abdullah-led government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of both stakeholders and opposition parties.

The discrepancy between the Education Minister’s proposal and the final order has raised questions about internal coordination within the administration, while the opposition’s accusations of “servility” to the Central government threaten to deepen political divides in the region.

The J&K government has yet to announce whether it will reconsider the order or issue a clarification to align with Itoo’s original proposal. For now, the fate of the 215 FAT-affiliated schools—and the students and staff they serve—remains a contentious issue at the heart of J&K’s political landscape.

J&K Government’s Takeover of 215 FAT-Affiliated Schools by PGurus

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1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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Chandra Maurya
Chandra Maurya
Chandra Maurya
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1 COMMENT

  1. I also condemn for it is violation of constitution, justice, international laws, violation of Islamic laws of Porkistan,………………………………..To print such news in PGURUS is a propoganda of BJP & against international justice & UN law violation including violation of Palestianian laws in India
    :):):):):):):):)

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