The Arya Samaj Trust recently reopened its school in downtown Srinagar, after it had been closed for 33 years. The closure was a result of separatist militancy in J&K that began in 1990. The building was taken over by a local man in 1992, who established a private institute named Naqshbandi Public School. However, after a prolonged legal battle, the school was reclaimed by J&K unit Arya Samaj Trust chairman Arun Choudhary, with the help of a local businessman.

Despite protests by the students and their parents, who had been studying in the private school established during the closure, the authorities handed back possession of the property to the trust in 2022. Currently, the salvaged school is housed in a rundown building in the Saraf Kadal locality.

The school serves 35 students from underprivileged families and does not charge any fees. However, some parents voluntarily contribute Rs 500 a month to sustain the middle school, which offers classes till the eighth standard. The principal of the school, a Lucknow native who chose to remain anonymous, expressed confidence in motivating more students to enrol in the school.

She acknowledged the initial hesitancy of the residents in the locality to send their children to the reopened school. However, after approaching the residents and addressing their concerns, they ultimately agreed to send their children. The school aims to make a positive impact on the education of these students.