SHRAVASTI — The Allahabad High Court has rebuked the Minority Welfare Department and ordered the reopening of a madrasa in Shravasti that was sealed by officials without proper verification of documents. The court’s ruling is being viewed as a significant relief for the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh, where concerns have grown over the perceived targeting of madrasas under the state government.
Madrasa Anwarul Uloom, located in the Bangai Bazaar area of Jamunaha in Shravasti, was sealed on 27 April by a team from the Minority Welfare Department and district administration. The officials claimed the madrasa was operating without proper documents. However, the madrasa director, Mohammed Qasim, presented evidence that the institution had been granted permanent recognition by the Basic Education Officer as far back as 1974.
“I told them again and again that the documents are available, and we have never violated any rule,” said Mohammed Qasim, the madrasa director. “But they came with a team and locked the premises without listening to us. We were treated like criminals.”
Following the closure, Mohammed Qasim filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court challenging the sealing notice. After a detailed hearing, the court stayed the order of the Minority Welfare Department on 14 May and instructed the administration to reopen the madrasa immediately. However, a copy of the court order was only received by the madrasa director on 17 May. It took another eleven days before the seal was finally removed on 28 May in the presence of senior officers.
“The court has shown that injustice cannot continue for long,” said Qasim. “Now our focus is on bringing the children back. Their education was badly affected. We will go door to door and convince the parents to send their children again.”
The sealing of madrasa Anwarul Uloom was part of a larger state-wide crackdown on madrasas, especially in districts close to the Nepal border. In Shravasti district alone, out of 297 madrasas, only 105 are officially recognised. The remaining 192 are being monitored, and so far, 68 of them have been sealed by authorities.
Community leaders argue that these actions are one-sided and reflect the government’s bias against Muslims.
“There is a clear message being sent — that Muslim institutions are not welcome,” said Maulana Abdul Rahman, a senior cleric in Shravasti. “No such actions are being taken against illegal institutions run by other communities. Only madrasas are being targeted, without proper enquiry.”
Many Muslims in Uttar Pradesh are questioning the motive behind the mass sealing of madrasas, pointing out that even recognised institutions are not being spared.
“Education is being attacked under the excuse of documentation,” said Javed Anwar, a local resident. “The children are the ones who suffer. What is the purpose of closing a school that has been running since 1974? We see this as harassment.”
The situation has created fear among madrasa operators across Uttar Pradesh. Several directors have expressed concern about being suddenly shut down without notice or chance to defend their institutions.
“They don’t give us time to respond,” said Abdul Hameed, who runs another madrasa in Bahraich. “They arrive, seal the gates, and leave. It looks like a planned campaign against us.”
Legal experts say the High Court’s decision could set an important precedent.
“This is not just about one madrasa,” said advocate Iqbal Ahmed, who has been following the case. “This is about the rule of law. The authorities cannot seal an institution without giving notice or hearing the other side.”
Despite the court’s intervention, community members fear more closures may follow unless there is a change in policy. Several petitions are now being filed in courts across the state, challenging similar actions in other districts.
Meanwhile, madrasa students in Shravasti like 11-year-old Faizan are simply happy to be back.
“I missed my friends. I missed my teacher. I want to study again,” said Faizan, a student of class 5 at Anwarul Uloom.
Parents, too, are relieved.
“We are poor people,” said Shakeela Bano, whose two sons study at the madrasa. “We don’t have money to send them to private schools. This madrasa was our hope.”
The reopening of Madrasa Anwarul Uloom may offer a short break from the rising pressure, but for many Muslim families in Uttar Pradesh, the fear of further closures remains real.
“We want to live with respect and raise our children with education,” said Mohammed Qasim. “Is that too much to ask?”
