Students and teachers voice concerns over proposed changes to madrasa education system following Supreme Court ruling
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The government of India is planning to amend the Madrasa Act affecting the madrasa education in the country. This amendment, although not officially announced yet, aims to discontinue the recognition of higher education degrees like Kamil and Fazil, awarded by madrasas.
If this proposal goes through, madrasas will only be able to offer education up to the 12th standard, significantly altering the educational landscape for thousands of students and teachers.
On November 5, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of madrasas but issued a ruling that could have far-reaching consequences for the educational system within these institutions. While affirming that madrasas have the right to exist and impart education, the court rejected the granting of higher education degrees like Fazil and Kamil by madrasa boards, declaring them unconstitutional.
The court’s decision was based on the premise that these degrees fall outside the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the norms governing higher education. The judgment from the bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Mishra has sent shockwaves through the madrasa system, leaving both students and educators in a state of uncertainty.
This decision to disallow madrasas from granting these higher degrees is seen as part of a broader push to align educational standards in religious institutions with those set by main stream educational boards and universities in India. The concern, however, is that this change could render the degrees awarded by madrasas, particularly the Kamil and Fazil degrees, irrelevant, stripping them of their value and impact.
The consequences of this ruling are most acutely felt by the students currently pursuing their Kamil and Fazil degrees in madrasas across the country. Mohammad Rizwan, a 22-year-old from Mansabiya Arabic College, expressed his frustration with the government’s proposed changes. “After years of hard work and sacrifice, we are being told that our education is no longer valid,” Rizwan said. “We have invested not only time but also money in these degrees. If they are removed, what future will we have? Will all the years we spent studying be wasted?”
His words reflect the growing concern among students that the government’s move to end the recognition of these degrees could lead to significant disruptions in their academic and professional futures. Rizwan, like many others, believes that madarsa education is integral to the identity and future of Muslim youth in India. “We do not just study religious texts; we learn valuable skills that help us contribute to society. Without Kamil and Fazil, what will become of the many students who aspire to become scholars, teachers, and community leaders?”
Students from other madrasas across Uttar Pradesh have echoed similar sentiments. At Aljamatul Ahmadiya Madrasa in Kannauj, students expressed their deep concern that they may not be able to find employment after finishing their education if these degrees are discontinued. “We are not just studying to pass exams,” said Zainab, a student at the madrasa. “We study to secure a respectable position in society. If the degrees we earn lose their value, we will be left with no future.”
Teachers in madrasas, who have dedicated their lives to imparting knowledge, are also grappling with the fallout of this proposed amendment. Many of these teachers have been serving for decades and are unsure of their future in light of the changes.
One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We have been teaching students for years, believing that their degrees would open doors for them in terms of employment and respect. If these degrees are no longer recognized, how will our students justify their years of education? And what will happen to us, the teachers, who have been imparting this education?”
Many teachers worry that the move will not only devalue the education they provide but also lead to a loss of employment opportunities for them. “We will not be able to secure jobs in mainstream institutions without degrees that hold any value. Our entire livelihood is tied to this system,” said another teacher from Aljamatul Ahmadiya Madrasa.
The state government, on the other hand, has offered little clarity regarding the future of madrasa education under the proposed amendments. Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Danish Azad Ansari, commented on the issue, saying, “We are studying the guidelines set by the Honorable Supreme Court in regard to madrasa education. We are taking guidance from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to determine the next course of action.”
Azad Ansari assured that the government was committed to providing Muslim youth with good education and opportunities for personal development through madrasa education. “We have not taken any final decision yet. Once we receive guidance from the Chief Minister, we will take the necessary steps,” he added. However, his statements have not entirely reassured those within the madrasa community, with some expressing skepticism about the government’s true intentions. “We are not sure whether the government is genuinely interested in improving madrasa education or just curbing its influence,” said Imran Khan, a madrasa teacher in Lucknow. “We need a clear commitment to maintaining the integrity of our education system, not just an attempt to limit it.”
A crucial question on the minds of many is: what will happen to the thousands of students who are currently enrolled in madrasas pursuing Kamil and Fazil degrees? If the government moves forward with these changes, these students will find themselves caught between an uncertain future and their years of hard work. The situation is particularly dire for those who are at advanced stages in their studies and have already invested significant time and resources.
At Mansabiya Arabic College, students like Mohammad Rizwan are calling on the government to find an alternative solution. “We appeal to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to consider the hardships we are facing. We request that the government attach us to a recognised university so that our education does not go in vain. If this proposal goes through, our future will be ruined,” Rizwan pleaded.
In response, Minister Azad Ansari stated that the government is considering all options. “We are aware of the difficulties faced by students. We will take all necessary measures to ensure that their hard work is not wasted,” he assured.
The debate over the future of madrasa education is far from settled. While the Supreme Court’s ruling has made it clear that Kamil and Fazil degrees are not recognised by the UGC, the fate of madrasa students remains in limbo. If the government follows through with its plans to amend the Madrasa Act, the consequences could be severe for students and teachers alike.
In the coming months, it will be crucial for the state government to provide clear guidance and assurance to those affected by this change. Students and teachers are looking for concrete answers — answers that will determine not only their future careers but also their place within the broader educational and societal framework of India.
As the situation unfolds, the Muslim community, particularly those involved in madrasa education, will be watching closely, hoping that the government takes steps to protect the integrity of madrasa education and the future of its students.