Srinagar, April 28 -- 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), following a police investigation. This marks the first time a major seminary 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 has "sustained and covert linkage" with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Law and order in the UT comes under the Centre through the Lieutenant Governor. The region's elected National Conference government said this decision was taken by those who are not under the control of the civilian government headed by Omar Abdullah. National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, "The LG administration to whom the security paraphernalia reports to, has to provide a justifiable response for such a move. Also, the decision to lodge UAPA against the seminary seems to be taken without taking into consideration the positive and encouraging role this educational institute has been playing in the area. The decision must be reviewed." With 814 students and 102 faculty, the seminary is the second biggest in the Valley after Darul Uloom Raheemiyyah in Bandipora. Following the notification, Shopian district magistrate Shishir Gupta enforced prohibitory orders on Monday, officially sealing the premises . Seminary chairman Mohammad Shafi Lone dismissed the allegations as baseless. "We are a law-abiding institute and have nothing to do with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami. This order has created panic among parents and students enrolled here," he said, adding that the school is ready for any probe. The crackdown follows a dossier submitted by Shopian SSP Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary on March 24, 2026. The administration claimed the school fostered an environment "conducive to radicalisation," citing the case of former student Sajjad Bhat, owner of the vehicle used in the February 14, 2019, Pulwama terror attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. An NIA probe found he had joined Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) shortly before the attack. Additionally, in 2020, three teachers from the seminary, including Abdul Ahad Bhat, were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). A key point of contention is the land. Established in 1998, the school is spread over six hectares donated by late local Sufi saint Peer Gul Mohammad Sofi. While the management cites these Sufi roots, the administration claims the site is marred by "questionable land acquisition and financial opacity," alleging that individuals affiliated with the banned JeI maintain de facto control over administrative and academic positions. The administration has said it followed "principles of natural justice" by issuing a show-cause notice on March 31. The move drew sharp criticism from political leaders in Kashmir. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called it "flagrant injustice." Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir's chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference chairman, said on X: "A leading educational institute with a rich legacy of serving the underprivileged... is declared unlawful under stringent UAPA! Can the LG administration tell people of Kashmir clearly how long they will continue this policy of harassment and disempowerment? And can the elected government tell us how long they will let this happen?"...