Muslims see the move as an attempt to weaken Muslim educational institutions and erode their religious identity
Team Clarion
DEHRADUN — The Uttarakhand government has launched an aggressive campaign against madrasas, sealing 84 institutions across the state. The move by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government has sparked outrage among Muslims, who see it as part of a broader pattern of discrimination and suppression of Islamic education under the BJP-led administration.
The crackdown has primarily affected madrasas in Muslim-majority areas, with 43 sealed in Dehradun, nine in Udham Singh Nagar, and 31 in Haridwar and Nainital. While the government claims these institutions were running illegally, madrasa operators and community leaders argue that the real motive is to weaken Muslim educational institutions and erode their religious identity.
Officials insist that the action is intended to ensure compliance with regulations, but many believe it is just a pretext to systematically target Muslim institutions. A government representative, speaking anonymously, stated, “This is not an attack on any community. The action is being taken against institutions that do not comply with legal norms.” However, the lack of similar action against other unregistered schools raises serious concerns about selective enforcement.
Shamoon Kashmir, the head of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board, has urged madrasa operators to apply for official recognition. “Madrasas that meet the required criteria and have valid documents will not be disturbed. Those that have been sealed can reopen once they complete the recognition process,” he assured. However, many madrasa operators feel this is merely an excuse to shut down Islamic institutions under bureaucratic pressure.
A madrasa teacher in Dehradun, speaking on condition of anonymity, lamented, “They are trying to erase our educational institutions. There was no notice, no warning — just a direct order to shut down. This is not about legality; this is about targeting Muslims.”
The arbitrary sealing of madrasas has left the Muslim community furious. Many see this as an attempt to weaken the religious and educational foundation of the community. Locals allege that the government is using the pretext of “illegal institutions” to harass Muslims while ignoring other unauthorised schools and religious structures.
A community leader from Haridwar questioned, “Why is the government only cracking down on madrasas? If this is about legality, why are other unregistered institutions allowed to function freely?”
Prominent Muslim scholars and activists have called this crackdown a “blatant violation of constitutional rights.” A legal expert from Delhi stated, “This action is completely illegal and goes against the principles of the Indian Constitution. The government is telling lies and deliberately targeting Muslims.”
A local imam in Nainital added, “This is not just about madrasas; this is about erasing our identity. Today, they shut down our schools; tomorrow, they will come for our mosques.”
With the injustice of this crackdown becoming increasingly evident, many madrasa operators are preparing to challenge the government’s actions in court. Legal experts predict that the matter could soon escalate into a major judicial confrontation.
The targeting of Islamic institutions under the guise of regulation is a clear attempt to sideline Muslim education and weaken the community’s religious identity. If this campaign continues, it may only deepen divisions and create further unrest. The question remains: Is this about law and order, or a systematic effort to marginalise Muslims in Uttarakhand?
