Supreme Court Seeks Reply On Uttarakhand Madrasa Crackdown

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the Uttarakhand government over a plea challenging the state’s action against unregistered madrasas.

The petition, filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, has been tagged with an existing case related to madrasa regulations already pending before the court.

During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, argued that approaching the High Court was unnecessary as a similar matter was already before the Supreme Court.

In response, the bench asked why the petitioner had not sought relief from the High Court first.

Uttarakhand’s Crackdown On Unregistered Madrasas

The Uttarakhand government has so far sealed 136 madrasas, primarily in Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, and Haridwar, citing a lack of registration and recognition.

The state maintains that these institutions were operating illegally and failed to meet regulatory standards.

However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s president, Arshad Madani, has argued that the government’s actions are unconstitutional and deprive students of their fundamental right to religious education.

The petition claims that closing these madrasas disrupts the education of thousands of students who rely on them for religious and academic learning.

Madrasa Education Under Scrutiny

According to official data, Uttarakhand has 415 registered madrasas with over 46,000 students.

The madrasa education system is divided into three levels:

• Tahataniya (Primary level)
• Faukania (Junior High School)
• Alia (Higher Secondary)

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also intervened in the case, arguing that madrasa students do not receive quality education comparable to formal schools.

The NCPCR has stated in its affidavit that madrasas do not fall under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, depriving students of essential benefits such as mid-day meals, uniforms, and trained teachers.

Balancing Regulation & Religious Rights

The debate over madrasa regulation raises critical questions about the balance between religious education and government oversight.

While the Uttarakhand government insists that its actions ensure compliance with education laws, critics argue that it unfairly targets religious institutions.

With the Supreme Court now involved, the case will test how far the state can control religious education and whether students can exercise their right to religious studies.

The responses from the Centre and the Uttarakhand government will determine the next course of action in this legal battle.

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