In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday ordered the takeover of the management committees of 58 schools found to be linked to the banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its affiliate, Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT).
Officials stated that the order was issued by the Secretary of the School Education Department (SED). It follows notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, declaring Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir an unlawful organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
According to the order, intelligence agencies have recently identified 58 active schools with direct or indirect links to JeI/FAT. The tenure of the management committees of these schools had either expired or adverse reports had been received against them.
DCs to form new committees
In this context, the government has directed that the management of these schools be taken over by the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs), who will propose new management committees after due verification. The decision has been taken to safeguard the educational interests of students enrolled in these institutions. Officials have been instructed to ensure that academic activities continue without any disruption.
The order further states that the Deputy Commissioners, in coordination with the School Education Department, will take all necessary steps to maintain quality education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) and ensure that students do not suffer any academic loss. Government teams, including SED personnel, have been deployed in these schools for further action.
215 schools already taken over
Notifications in this regard were issued under SO 1069(E) dated February 28, 2019, and SO 924(E) dated February 27, 2024, under subsection (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, declaring Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), Jammu and Kashmir, an unlawful organisation.
Earlier, on August 22, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir government had similarly taken over the management of 215 schools affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) operating in the Union Territory through Government Order No. 578-JK(Edu) of 2025.
FAT-linked schools banned in J&K in 2022
The J&K government had earlier banned several schools affiliated with FAT. Students studying in these institutions were asked to immediately seek admission in government-run schools.
All Chief Education Officers (CEOs), in consultation with the district administration, were directed to seal the banned institutions.
Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) is an affiliate of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), which has been proscribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of J&K Police has accused FAT of gross illegalities, fraud, and encroachment on government land.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) is a radical outfit proscribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The order comes in the backdrop of SIA investigations, with a majority of these schools allegedly built on illegally occupied government land.
