Schools, orphanages run by banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami kept outside scope of seizure: JK administration

Hours after former chief minister Omar Abdullah said that banning schools run by Jamaat-e-Islami Sealing risks future of several kids, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued a clarification that the schools, mosques, and orphanages being run by the banned outfit have so far been kept outside the ambit of seizure. "Schools, mosques, and orphanages have been kept outside the scope of seizures and sealing in the wake of the ban imposed by the Government of India on Jamaat-e-Islami, J&K," state government spokesman Rohit Kansal clarified.

The clarification came hours after the National Conference vice-president said the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami "is having a major social impact" in Kashmir and appealed to the government to "urgently review" its decision to seal schools and mosques run by it.

“There is nothing to suggest sealing mosques will improve the security environment. Sealing schools risks forcing so many young kids out on the streets rather than studying to make a future for themselves,” Abdullah tweeted. He said the action is being taken against offices, assets, properties and other equipment of the banned outfit.

“People are being turned away from mosques where they usually congregate for prayers. Schools with 10’s of 1000’s of students, employing 1000s of teachers are being sealed,” he said in another tweet.

Abdullah said that the social aspect of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami isn’t being taken into consideration.

Earlier, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had slammed the government for sealing properties of Jamaat leaders, including schools run by the organisation.

“It is unfortunate as these schools were providing education to the poorest of poor. Their students are meritorious. Where will all these students go after their schools have been banned. They are playing with our future and this is very wrong. They should rather ban (RSS) shakhas where swords are displayed. No Jamaati carries a sword," she had said.

The Centre has banned Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was ‘in close touch’ with terrorist outfits and was expected to ‘escalate secessionist movement’ in the state.

A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The police have launched a major crackdown on the socio-religious organisation across the state, arresting over 150 of its leaders and activists and sealing its properties including offices and houses over the past week, besides freezing bank accounts linked to the organisation.