Kashmir school, college shutdown extended till weekend amid pro-Khamenei protests

The Jammu and Kashmir Education Ministry ordered the precautionary shutdown amid widespread protests across the Valley, with officials saying the step is necessary to maintain public order.

With the raging military conflict in the Middle East having some bearing in parts of India in the form of protests, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that all schools and colleges across the Kashmir division will remain closed for the rest of the week. This comes as authorities move to contain unrest triggered by the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes carried out by the US and Israel over the weekend.

Under the orders issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Education Ministry, the precautionary shutdown comes amid widespread protests across the Valley, with officials saying the step is necessary to maintain public order.

The decision underscores how the escalating conflict in the Middle East is reverberating far beyond the region, with visible repercussions in parts of India.

Demonstrations intensified in several districts of the Kashmir Valley following reports of Khamenei’s assassination earlier this week, prompting the administration to tighten security and restrict movement in sensitive areas.

The University of Kashmir has already postponed all examinations scheduled for this week.

In an advisory, the university urged students to rely solely on official communication channels for updates regarding revised exam dates and other academic matters.