Students and parents of the Siraj-ul-Uloom seminary-cum-school in Kashmir's Shopian protested on Thursday, demanding the institution's immediate reopening. The school was closed last month under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) due to alleged links with a banned organization, Jamaat-e-Islami, and financial irregularities.

The protesters, including hundreds of students and their parents, marched towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner, with local legislator Shabir Kullay joining in to demand steps to ensure the students' career is not affected.

Over 800 students are enrolled at the seminary-cum-school, which also has 102 staff members. Officials said the district administration is considering admitting the students to nearby schools.

The closure of the institution has been criticized by regional political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, J&K Apni Party, and J&K Peoples Conference.

The district administration will likely announce its decision on the admission of students to nearby schools in the coming days, while the protesters have vowed to continue their demands for the reopening of the Siraj-ul-Uloom seminary-cum-school.