After bulldozer actions on religious institutions, questions raised over minority rights and security in the state
DEHRADUN – In a move that has raised alarm among the state’s Muslim community, the Uttarakhand government has announced that 452 registered madrasas will now have to obtain fresh recognition under the newly passed Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Act-2025. The decision comes in the wake of recent large-scale bulldozer action targeting religious institutions and madrasas in the state.
The new law, approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun on Sunday, dissolves the existing Madrasa Education Board and establishes a new Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority. Under this authority, all minority educational institutions, including Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, Parsi, and Muslim madrasas, will be required to register afresh.
Starting from 1 July 2026, all recognised madrasas will need to comply with the new registration rules. According to the government, this step aims to improve the quality of education, ensure transparency, and safeguard the rights of minority educational institutions. Property documents of the institutions will have to be in the institution’s name for registration to be approved.
However, Muslim community leaders have expressed concern over the timing and implementation of the move. Maulana Imran Qureshi, principal of a longstanding madrasa in Haridwar, said, “Thousands of children from poor families study in these madrasas. Fresh registration after recent bulldozer actions only increases fear and insecurity among Muslims in the state.”
The Dhami government has previously taken strict action against unregistered madrasas, sealing 222 institutions deemed illegal across the state. Haridwar witnessed the closure of 85 madrasas, followed by 66 in Udham Singh Nagar, 44 in Dehradun, 24 in Nainital, two in Pauri, and one in Almora. Many of these madrasas have been in operation for decades. Government officials claim the action was necessary to maintain educational standards and ensure transparency.
Maulana Farooq Ahmed, a senior scholar from Dehradun, voiced apprehension over the new registration requirement, stating, “The law may appear neutral, but the cumulative effect of bulldozer actions and fresh recognition rules targets the Muslim community disproportionately. It leaves thousands of students and teachers anxious about their future.”
Despite the government’s assurances, parents of madrasa students have shared their worries. Saira Begum, whose three children study in a madrasa in Nainital, said, “Our children’s education is at stake. We want to study in peace without the constant fear of our schools being closed.”
Officials of the newly formed Minority Education Authority claim the registration process is part of a broader effort to regulate minority educational institutions and enhance accountability. A government spokesperson said, “The registration process is necessary to ensure that all minority institutions operate transparently and maintain educational standards. It is not aimed at any particular community.”
Nevertheless, critics argue that the sequence of actions — first bulldozer demolitions, then fresh recognition rules — has intensified communal anxiety. Prof Ahmed Raza, a social activist, commented, “Indian Muslims have always faced challenges in safeguarding their religious and educational rights. This decision could be another hurdle in maintaining their institutions, which have served the poor for generations.”
Madrasa authorities and Muslim leaders are planning meetings to discuss the implications and possible legal challenges. Community members hope that the government will reconsider the approach to ensure the protection of minority rights and maintain harmony in Uttarakhand.
As the situation develops, the eyes of India’s Muslim community remain on Dehradun, hoping for assurances that their educational and religious institutions will continue to function without fear of arbitrary interference.
