Polity/SecurityGS-IIGS-I· 1 min read
UAPA used to close Kashmir school-seminary
Why in news?
Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed concern over the closure of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom, a school-cum-seminary in Shopian, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), stating it ruins students' futures and creates apprehension about targeting religious identity.
Key points
- Closure of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom under UAPA in Shopian, Kashmir.
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq highlights ruined futures of hundreds of students.
- Concerns raised about targeting religious identity.
- Apprehension of resentment if the government doesn't reconsider its approach.
Background & context
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is a stringent anti-terror law in India that allows the central government to declare an act as 'unlawful' and ban organizations. Its application in Kashmir has often been a point of contention.
★ Prelims fact capsule
UAPA was amended in 2019 to allow the government to designate individuals as terrorists.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Governance, Security challenges. GS Paper I: Society and social issues.