India, April 27 -- The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Imam Sahib, Shopian-the largest seminary in South Kashmir-an unlawful entity under Section 8(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This marks the first time a major Darul Uloom in the region has been formally designated as an unlawful entity, a move that grants authorities the power to seal the premises and freeze institutional assets.

The order, issued by Kashmir divisional commissioner Anshul Garg on April 24, states that the institution maintains "sustained and covert linkages" with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

With 814 students and 102 faculty members, the seminary ranks second in the Valley only to Darul Uloom ...