Action in Jammu and Kashmir: Government takes over 58 schools associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, decision taken for the future of students

News India Live, Digital Desk: Jammu and Kashmir administration has conducted another surgical strike against the banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its associated Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) operating in the valley. Under an official order issued on Saturday (April 18), the administration has taken control of the management committees of 58 private schools directly or indirectly linked to the Jamaat. This step of the government is being considered as a major blow towards stopping the suspicious activities taking place in these institutions and bringing the education system into the mainstream. Action taken after intelligence input. According to the order issued by the Secretary of the Education Department, in the report of intelligence agencies, organizational and operational links of these 58 schools were found with Jamaat-e-Islami. Management Takeover: The old management committees of these schools have been dissolved. Now the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the respective districts will take charge of the management of these schools. Studies will not be disrupted: The government has clarified that this action is only against the management. Classes and examinations will continue to run smoothly in schools so that the academic future of students is not affected. Baramulla leads in district-wise figures. Of the 58 schools taken over by the administration, the highest number is in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Baramulla: 29 schoolsPulwama: 07 schoolsKulgam and Kupwara: 05 each schoolsOther districts: The remaining schools are located in other parts including Anantnag and Budgam. Why is Jamaat-e-Islami banned? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had declared Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir a banned organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019 itself. It is alleged that this organization has been involved in promoting separatist ideology and terrorist funding. About eight months ago also, the government had taken control of 215 similar schools. The operations will be done under the New Education Policy (NEP). Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to implement the standards of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in these schools. The government aims to ensure quality education in these institutions and root out any kind of fundamentalist education or propagation of separatist ideology. The administration will soon propose new and verified management committees for these schools.