The Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Board has expressed concern over the future of students enrolled in illegal madrassas that were recently shut down by the state government due to their lack of affiliation with the board.
In response, the board has urged district magistrates (DMs) to facilitate the transfer of these students to recognised madrassas to ensure their education continues uninterrupted.
Mufti Shamoon Kasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madrassa Board, stated that a formal letter will soon be sent to the DMs of affected districts, requesting immediate action to accommodate displaced students in recognised institutions.
“We are sensitive to the matter. While action against illegal madrassas is justified, it is crucial to safeguard the future of the children enrolled in them. We will send a letter to the DMs within the next couple of days, urging them to ensure these students are transferred to recognised madrassas without delay,” Kasmi said.
Closure of Illegal Madrassas
Following a verification drive by the state government, approximately 100 madrassas operating without proper documentation were sealed across five districts—Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar.
However, Kasmi noted that the number of students affected is relatively low, as many parents avoid sending their children to unaffiliated madrassas that lack basic infrastructure and amenities.
“Many of these madrassas operate from small, inadequate spaces, often lacking essential facilities such as toilets. As a result, parents tend to be wary of enrolling their children in such institutions. Consequently, the number of students impacted by their closure remains minimal,” Kasmi explained.
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Call for Legalisation and Compliance
Despite advocating for the transfer of affected students, Kasmi justified the state government’s action against unregistered madrassas. He emphasized that madrassa operators must adhere to established norms and complete the necessary legal formalities for affiliation.
“The board recently granted recognition to 49 madrassas and renewed the affiliation of 47 others. There is a well-defined process for obtaining affiliation with the board, and madrassa operators should collaborate with authorities rather than avoiding legalisation,” he added.
Currently, 467 madrassas are legally affiliated with the Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Board, collectively educating approximately 46,000 students. The board remains committed to ensuring that all madrassa-going children receive proper education in a regulated environment.
Political Reactions and Government’s Vision
Kasmi criticized opposition parties for politicizing the issue, accusing them of creating unnecessary controversy over the closure of illegal madrassas. “This is a positive step that is not targeted against any community but rather against unregulated institutions. Why should illegal madrassas be permitted to operate without compliance?” he questioned.
The chairman also highlighted Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s commitment to integrating madrassa-going students into the educational mainstream by providing modern and high-quality education.
“Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, NCERT syllabus was introduced in madrassas in 2023, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The pass percentage in madrassas reached 96% in 2024 following the syllabus implementation. We are working towards a vision where madrassa students hold the holy Quran in one hand and a computer in the other,” Kasmi concluded.
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