Srinagar, August 23(KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has issued a statement criticizing the government's decision to take over the management of 215 schools run by the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), following the enforcement of the ban on the organization.

In his statement, Bukhari noted that although Jamaat-e-Islami has been banned since 2019, previous administrations did not take control of the FAT schools. He said the current government's action, despite having a public mandate, could have been avoided by opting for regulatory oversight instead of direct intervention.

He acknowledged that there may be political and ideological differences with Jamaat-e-Islami but maintained that FAT schools have had a consistent presence in the region's education sector.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe said the government's decision could impact students and the broader education system.

Bukhari also pointed to previous actions against FAT schools, stating that a ban was first announced in 1990 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was Union Home Minister, but courts had stayed that order. He added that while a fresh ban was announced in 2019, the present government has acted to implement it after six years.

He called on the government to reverse its decision and consider setting up a regulatory authority to ensure that the schools operate within the framework of existing laws and regulations, without being taken over.(KNS).