Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to the National Conference (NC)-led government in Jammu and Kashmir to immediately withdraw its recent order to take over 215 schools managed by the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), an affiliate of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).
Speaking to ANI, Mufti termed the move “another form of atrocity” and accused the government of sabotaging the educational future of Kashmiri youth. “After land, resources and jobs, targeting education will only push our children into deeper uncertainty. This will directly affect the lives of more than 51,000 students enrolled in these schools,” she said.
The government order, issued earlier this week, directs District Magistrates to assume control of the schools’ management committees. Principals of nearby higher secondary institutions have been assigned to oversee operations for three months until fresh committees are constituted following intelligence verification.
Mufti criticised the decision as “short-sighted and inconsistent,” arguing that such measures echo past mistakes and weaken the educational foundations of thousands of children. She urged the NC government to revoke the order and allow FAT to continue managing the schools “without unnecessary interference.”
Reiterating her confidence in the resilience of Kashmiris, the PDP leader added: “I am sure Kashmiris will overcome this and not let their children suffer. What we need right now is stability in education, not further disruption.”(DD)