The Supreme Court of India has provided a major relief to thousands of students attending madrasa in Uttar Pradesh by upholding the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Education Act, 2004. The ruling, announced by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, overturns the Allahabad High Court's March 22 decision, which declared the Act “unconstitutional” and asserted it violated the principles of secularism.
This landmark decision ensures that the education of about 17 lakh madrasa students in the state will continue uninterrupted under the regulations of the Madarsa Education Act.
The Allahabad High Court had previously raised concerns regarding the Act, suggesting that it interfered with secularism and urging the Uttar Pradesh government to integrate madrasa students into the formal schooling system.
The High Court's view was that the Act breached India’s commitment to secularism, a foundational principle of the Constitution, by allowing religious instruction within a state-regulated education framework. However, the Supreme Court found this interpretation flawed, emphasising that the High Court erred in its judgement.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court clarified that the purpose of the UP Madarsa Education Act was to standardise education levels in madrasas across the state, not to promote any particular religious teaching.
The court underscored that while secularism is central to India’s Constitution, it does not mean rejecting diverse cultural and religious practices but rather supporting a “live and let live” philosophy.
The court affirmed that the inclusion of religious instruction does not, in itself, render a law unconstitutional as long as it respects the educational rights of minorities.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court also addressed the Allahabad High Court’s stance on madrasas granting higher-level religious degrees such as ‘fazil’ and ‘kamil.’
The bench ruled that madrasas offering these degrees, which go beyond class 12, would not receive recognition from the Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Board, as they conflict with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act.
This restriction ensures that madrasas follow a curriculum aligned with state standards without conflicting with the provisions of national higher education regulations.
For the approximately 23,500 madrasa in Uttar Pradesh, of which 16,513 are recognized by the state government and 560 receive government funding, this decision signifies that they will continue to operate with educational guidelines overseen by the state.
The ruling guarantees that these institutions, which play a critical role in the education of minority communities, can function under the Act’s provisions while safeguarding the rights of students to quality education and a pathway to livelihoods.
The Supreme Court’s decision also highlighted the positive obligations of the state to protect minority rights. It pointed out that the Madarsa Education Act is consistent with this obligation and aims to provide minority students with skills and knowledge that equip them for future employment.
In their judgement, the court stated that the Act does not interfere with the daily operations of madrasas and respects the cultural and educational autonomy of minority groups.
The ruling came after extensive arguments by the petitioners, represented by various advocates including Anjum Kadari, and the state government, represented by Additional Solicitor General KM Natraj.
The Supreme Court had reserved its judgement on October 22 after hearing these discussions over two days. Previously, on April 5, the court had stayed the High Court’s order, indicating its preliminary support for a balanced interpretation of secularism, wherein diverse educational models, including those that offer religious teachings, can coexist within the country’s secular framework.
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