Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Apni Party chief Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari today denounced the Government’s move to enforce ban on Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools by taking over their management.
Terming the Government’s move “neither necessary nor justified,” Altaf Bukhari wrote on his X handle: “It is deeply regrettable that the elected Government has today enforced the ban on Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools by announcing the takeover of their management of 215 schools. Although Jamaat-e-Islami has been banned since 2019, the LG administration refrained from taking over the management of FAT schools. Yet, the elected Government, despite enjoying a strong public mandate, has chosen to do so. Rather than assuming direct control, the Government could have exercised its authority by establishing clear regulations to safeguard the academic future of students enrolled in these institutions. Enforcing ban in terms of taking over the managements of these schools was neither necessary nor justified.”
He went further said, “One may have political and ideological differences with Jamaat-e-Islami, but it is undeniable that FAT schools have played a positive and commendable role in the education sector over the decades. By imposing a ban on these schools, the Government has done a disservice to the education sector and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The fact of the matter is that the ruling party has once again proved its intolerance toward those with whom it has political or ideological differences.”
“Unfortunately, traditional political parties have often been hell-bent on taking vendettas against their rivals. History bears witness to the fact that FAT schools were first banned in 1990, when the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was Union Home Minister. However, at that time, the courts stayed the ban, and the schools were allowed to continue. In 2019, the ban was announced, and six years later, today the NC Government moved to implement it,” he added.
“Since this Government holds a public mandate, it is its responsibility to respect public sentiment in this matter. It should immediately cancel its decision to take over the management of these schools. Since education falls within the domain of the elected Government, there are numerous ways to ensure proper oversight without imposing a ban, allowing FAT schools to operate smoothly,” Bukhari’s post further added.
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