Uttarakhand High Court Issues Notice to State Over Sealing of Unregistered Madrasas

DEHRADUN — The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a notice to the state government following a petition filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, which has challenged the ongoing crackdown and sealing of madrasas across the state. The petition argues that the government’s actions are discriminatory and have disrupted education for thousands of Muslim children.

The case was taken up after the Supreme Court, in an earlier hearing led by a three-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, had granted interim relief. The apex court stayed all actions against Madrasas Islamia and suspended any notices issued to madrasas by state governments, particularly Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, until further orders. It was also clarified that any future notices or orders issued by the Centre or states during this period would remain stayed.

On May 14, 2025, the Supreme Court directed Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to approach the Uttarakhand High Court for relief on state-specific matters. Following this directive, the Jamiat filed its petition, which was subsequently heard by the High Court.

Key Arguments in the Petition

In its plea, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind contends that:

• The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016 does not mandate registration, nor does it classify unregistered madrasas as illegal.
• The Right to Education (Amendment) Act, 2012 clearly exempts madrasas, Vedic Pathshalas, and other traditional institutions from its provisions.
• Several Supreme Court judgments have affirmed the unfettered rights of minorities under Article 30 of the Constitution to establish and manage their own educational institutions without state interference.
• The state’s actions, which exclusively target madrasas, are unconstitutional, discriminatory, and suggest a malicious intent.

Background: Statewide Crackdown on Madrasas

The Uttarakhand government has sealed hundreds of madrasas in recent months as part of a broader drive to regulate and inspect religious institutions. State officials have cited non-compliance with registration requirements and building norms under the newly enacted Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2023.

However, critics, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, argue that this campaign disproportionately affects Muslim educational institutions and violates constitutional protections afforded to minority communities.

What’s Next

The Uttarakhand High Court has sought a response from the state government on the allegations. The case is expected to set a precedent for how state regulations will be balanced against minority rights in educational matters.