Srinagar, Aug 23: The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun taking over the management of 215 schools allegedly affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), a day after the pronouncement.
According to officials, the takeover proceedings were supervised by magistrates along with police personnel. Most of the schools were handed over to local authorities from the Education department. However, academic activities remain unaffected, and classes are conducted as usual, they informed.
An order issued by the Secretary of the School Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, yesterday said that the decision was taken following reports of the expiration of the managing committees of these schools, or adverse working conditions reported by security agencies.
The order was issued under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who directed deputy commissioners to take over these schools and propose new committees for them. Education Minister Sakina, however, alleged that the order had been modified “without her knowledge”.
”There were adverse reports against these institutions, and the management committees had also expired. Since the future of more than 51,000 students was at stake, we decided that principals of nearby government schools would oversee them. However, the order issued by the Secretary, School Education, is completely different from what I had approved,” she said.
The action has ignited a political row across the valley.
Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Sajad Lone launched a scathing attack on Omar Abdullah, calling the move a “shameful display of servility.”
“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.
He accused the present government of being a “willing partner” in all controversial actions taken in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Be under no illusions. This 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.”
PDP leader and former MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir said the National Conference Government has a long history of misusing authority to target its political opponents, be it Jamaat or any other voice of dissent.
“If the Minister now claims that the takeover of FAT/Jamaat schools by the DCs was not her proposal, then why doesn’t she come clean and make her original proposal public for everyone to see?,” Mir asked.
“If her proposal has indeed been altered by officers, then as the Education Minister it is her duty to rescind such orders immediately. After all, whether it is a DC or a Principal taking over, both are merely appendages of the government. The reality is simple — the NC Government has a long history of misusing authority to target its political opponents, be it Jamaat or any other voice of dissent,” he added.
There are 37 schools to be taken over in Anantnag, six in Bandipora, 53 in Baramulla, 20 in Budgam, six in Ganderbal, 16 in Kulgam, 36 in Kupwara, 22 in Pulwama, 15 in Shopian and four in Srinagar.
