Srinagar, Aug 23 (KNO): Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday accused the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of partnering with the Centre in the decision to ban FAT-affiliated schools.
Addressing a news conference here, Lone, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party had collaborated with the Centre to ban FAT schools.
“The law under which action was taken was enacted by the Farooq Abdullah-led government in 1983 and received the Governor’s assent on March 23, 1983. The law was first implemented in 1990 when Jagmohan was Governor. The Kashmiri partner in the decision was Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. FAT was first banned when Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was Home Minister,” Lone said, adding that the directive to ban FAT schools post-2019 was based on the 1990 ban.
He reiterated that Kashmiri parties had partnered with the Centre to ban FAT schools.
“The ban on FAT schools was imposed post-2019. The National Conference implemented it in 2025,” he said.
Lone asserted that those who had banned FAT schools had no right to condemn the move.
“Don’t turn it into theatre. It is not a doll play. This concerns 250 schools and the future of thousands of students. When such issues are trivialized, people stop taking us seriously,” he said. Responding to a question about Education Minister Sakina Ittoo’s claim that the proposal approved by her did not intend to take over FAT schools, Lone said she has the authority to rescind the order.
“Let her rescind the order. She has the power to do so. There is no need for cabinet approval to rescind it. The minister has more powers than the administrative secretary,” he said.
Lone added that the Peoples Alliance for Change condemns the government’s takeover of FAT schools and urges the administration to roll back the order—(KNO)