Opinion | Public Reaction to the Administrative Action on Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom and the TRT World Narrative

For decades, peace remained elusive in Kashmir, largely due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the Kashmir Valley that shattered families, disrupted education, and brought the economy to a standstill. However, over the past few years, the situation has improved remarkably. From education and tourism to business and everyday life, normalcy has steadily returned across the Valley. As a common Kashmiri, I genuinely feel that our homeland is reclaiming the grace and glory for which it has always been known. Kashmir is once again moving towards the identity that Kashmiris proudly cherish as “Heaven on Earth.” The people of Kashmir value this hard-earned peace and stability, and they stand firmly with the administration, security forces, and the government in ensuring that this peace is preserved and strengthened for generations to come.

The government has taken several necessary steps in this direction, the latest being the ban on Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom. As a Muslim and a Kashmiri, it was painful for me to witness this development, and it deeply hurt my heart. However, such sensitive matters must be viewed beyond emotions, as history itself reminds us.

Being inquisitive, I spoke to several common Kashmiris across the Valley who possess considerable political maturity and understanding of such issues. I sought their viewpoints, and what I found was a shared sense of disbelief and pain over the development. Yet, despite the emotional response, many believed that logic and rationality must prevail over emotions when dealing with matters concerning long-term peace, security, and stability.

Aqib Lone, a Student Activist

Islam is a religion of peace, and if Islamic institutions become associated with extremism and violence, it is deeply shameful and concerning. As a Muslim and a Kashmiri, it genuinely hurt me to hear about the ban. However, what is even more painful is the thought of innocent youth being brainwashed, pushed towards radicalism, and ultimately losing their lives at a very young age. We cannot ignore the lessons of the past, when some mosques and madrasas, meant to be places of spirituality and learning, were misused as platforms for extremism and hate speech. That is why any report, indication, or even suspicion surrounding an institution in such sensitive matters must be taken seriously and addressed at the earliest stage. The responsibility of the government is not merely to act after a tragedy or violent incident occurs, but to take preventive measures to ensure that such situations do not arise in the first place. In this context, the action against should be seen as a preventive measure. If the allegations are true, acting early is better than reacting after damage is done. At the same time, due process must prevail. If the institution is proven innocent, it should be allowed to function again. However, protecting peace and stability must remain the top priority.

Ali Zaroon, a student

The recent Delhi terror blast reportedly was linked to the imam of a local mosque in Kashmir says enough about the seriousness of the issue. I have grown up hearing from my elders how certain mosques and seminaries were misused during the dark days of the 1990s for violence, intimidation, and radical propaganda, particularly during the tragic exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. Slogans such as “Raliv, Galiv ya Tsaliv” echoed through loudspeakers, spreading fear and division across society. As a Kashmiri, I never want to witness those days again. Coming to the present discourse surrounding Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, the situation is both painful and shameful. Kashmir’s hard-earned peace and normalcy must be protected at all costs. Reports suggesting covert links with a banned organisation and allegations of financial irregularities are serious enough to warrant administrative action and investigation. At the same time, if the institution believes it has been falsely accused, the doors of democracy and the judiciary remain fully open. It has every right to approach the courts and seek justice through legal and constitutional means.

Syed Showkat, a regular columnist

As the saying goes, “Roud peina chhanh rab wathan” — there is no mud without rain. Many people ask why this particular institution was acted against when there are countless other religious institutions across Kashmir and the rest of the country. That itself suggests there may have been serious concerns specific to this case. If the government’s intention had been to target religion, such action would not have been limited to a single institution alone. The ban was imposed following procedure, verification, and investigation. We all know how religion, particularly Islam in the context of Kashmir, has at times been misused by Pakistan-sponsored elements to spread violence and radicalism. As a staunch advocate of peace in my homeland, I can never support any institution, regardless of its affiliation or background, that is meant to spread peace and knowledge becoming a platform for hatred, extremism, or violence. Kashmir has suffered enough. May our land continue to heal, thrive, and shine in peace.

Shifa Khatoon, Regular Columnist

Long ago, I learnt the phrase, “There is no smoke without fire,” and I believe it holds true in many situations. First, we need to understand the basis of the action taken in this case. As per the official order, the institution was allegedly linked with Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and its subsidiary, Falah-e-Aam Trust. According to the order issued by Anshul Garg, the action followed a dossier submitted on 24 March 2026 by the SSP Shopian. The order mentions several concerns, including legal, administrative, and financial irregularities, questionable land acquisition, lack of proper registration with the concerned authorities, and attempts to avoid official oversight. Taken together, these issues appear serious enough for the administration to believe that the premises may have been used for unlawful activities. It is also important to remember that Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir was banned by the Government of India in 2019 over allegations of supporting terrorism in Kashmir. One positive aspect in this situation is that the District Magistrate has been directed to ensure the migration and admission of students into government schools of the district so that their education does not suffer. Any institution meant to spread peace, harmony, and moral values must remain committed to those principles. If a place associated with religion begins promoting radicalisation or hatred instead of peace and coexistence, then strict action becomes necessary. Kashmir has suffered enough violence and instability, and for our generation, peace cannot be compromised.

Syed Furkan, social activist

During the unrest of 2016, loudspeakers were repeatedly used day and night to create an atmosphere of fear, extremism, and hostility. Anti-India slogans, hateful anthems, and slogans supporting Pakistan echoed across many areas, something that people in Kashmir still remember clearly. We cannot allow another 2016 to happen again. The ban on a madrasa may sound painful and emotional, but history compels us to look at such decisions beyond emotions alone. Religious seminaries are highly sensitive spaces. If misused, they can easily plant extremist ideas into innocent minds, and the result is something Kashmir has already witnessed for decades: death, destruction, imprisonment, and suffering. We simply cannot afford to go through that again. The government’s cautious approach should therefore be viewed rationally. As per the official order, the institution allegedly had covert links with banned organisations that have long been associated with violence in Kashmir. In that context, the action appears necessary. However, if the institution believes it has been wrongly accused, it has every right to seek legal remedy and prove its innocence before the courts. One positive aspect is that the future of hundreds of students has been protected, as they have reportedly been shifted to local schools so their education continues uninterrupted. It may be difficult for many people to accept this decision, and relocating students in the middle of an academic session is certainly challenging, but in the long run, if such steps help protect young minds from exploitation, violence, imprisonment, or loss of life, then they deserve serious consideration.

Syed Jehanzeb, a political analyst

As someone who has closely observed regional developments for years, I believe I am in a position to speak on this issue. It is no secret how Pakistan has repeatedly misused religious spaces and sentiments to fuel terrorism and radicalisation. In many places, madrasas were turned into breeding grounds for extremism, which ultimately damaged the image of Islam itself and contributed to rising Islamophobia across the world. People in Kashmir still remember how, during the unrest of 2016, some mimbars and loudspeakers were misused to spread violence, fear, and unrest. Do we really think Pakistan would leave a sensitive subject like religion untouched while pushing its terrorism in Kashmir? Certainly not. Our madrasas are meant to be centres of peace, education, morality, and discipline. They should remain completely free from any form of radical propaganda or extremist influence. The ban may feel painful and emotional, but such matters must be viewed from a wider perspective. Can Kashmir afford another 2016? Another economic collapse? Another generation consumed by violence and instability? The answer is no. At times, certain decisions may cause temporary pain, but in the long run they may help safeguard peace and stability. If the institution believes the action taken against it is unjust, the courts remain open and it has every right to challenge the decision legally. Ultimately, peace and the future of Kashmir must remain above everything else. May peace continue to prevail in Kashmir, and may our homeland continue to shine, prosper, and move forward.

After seeking opinions from dozens of people across Kashmir, I found one thing common among almost everyone: all of them strongly advocated for peace. People repeatedly said that Kashmir’s hard-earned peace must be protected at all costs and that administrative actions in such sensitive matters should be viewed with logic and rationality rather than pure emotion and sensitivity. Kashmir’s history itself teaches us that ignoring such concerns can have dangerous consequences. Many also appreciated the government’s efforts to ensure that not even a single student’s education suffered, as the students were immediately shifted to nearby government schools. That step was widely seen as responsible and student-friendly. When TRT World, a Türkiye-based state broadcaster, made remarks regarding the ban, many Kashmiris termed its coverage misleading and disconnected from the ground reality. Kashmiris know very well how religion has been misused in the past to spread extremism and violence in the Valley. Is it not also true that several terrorists killed over the years had links with such seminaries or radical networks? Therefore, allegations of this nature cannot simply be ignored merely because they involve a religious institution.

This article serves as a response to those outlets and commentators who promote one-sided narratives while remaining distant from the realities faced by ordinary Kashmiris. Kashmir stands for peace, stability, and progress, and its people stand with the administration, government, and security forces because they understand the true cost of extremism and the value of peace.

Email: soulofkashmir1@gmail.com