Administration targets Islamic institutions without evidence, say locals, as over 150 madrasas sealed and 500 graves demolished in the state
NEW DELHI/ROORKEE – Tensions are rising in Roorkee and across Uttarakhand after the local administration sealed four madrasas in Haridwar district this week. The action, carried out under the leadership of the District SDM and Tehsildar, is part of a wider campaign targeting unregistered Islamic schools in the region. But many Indian Muslims say the drive feels more like religious discrimination than law enforcement.
According to officials, madrasas in Padli Genda, Sohalpur Gada, Kamelpur, and Khatakhedi villages were shut down because they lacked registration documents. A large police team accompanied the officials during the inspections, which led to clashes and heated arguments between residents and authorities.
This move follows the sealing of more than 150 madrasas and the demolition of over a dozen others, along with the destruction of around 500 Muslim graves in various parts of the state. Many Muslims in the region believe this is part of a deliberate effort to target their religious institutions.
Speaking to Clarion India, Maulana Rashid Qasmi, a madrasa teacher from Haridwar, said: “If the government truly wants documentation, they should help us regularise the madrasas instead of tearing them down. But what we are seeing is an attempt to erase our presence and paint us as illegal.”
During the inspection on Monday, madrasa operators were reportedly asked to present documents proving government recognition. But locals say they were not given time to respond or seek legal advice.
“They came like a raid team, surrounded the area with police, and told us to show documents within minutes. Before we could say anything, they locked the gates and left,” said Mohammad Anees, a resident of Sohalpur Gada.
“How is this justice?”
Two of the sealed madrasas — Jamia Faizul Quran and Islamia Arabia Isaatul Islam — are in Lahboli village in Mangalore, where a similar inspection took place earlier this week. According to Naib Tehsildar Dhaniram, notices were issued before sealing, but residents deny receiving any warning.
Some legal experts and civil rights activists have raised concerns over the pattern of actions against Muslim institutions in Uttarakhand. Advocate Arif Siddiqui, a lawyer practising in the high court, said: “If there are illegal schools of any kind, action should be taken. But this sweeping crackdown on madrasas without following due process, while no action is seen on illegal structures by other communities, raises serious concerns of bias.”
He added: “The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to establish and manage religious institutions. The way the state is handling this could amount to a violation of fundamental rights.”
Speaking to reporters, the SDM of Roorkee confirmed that more surveys will be carried out and any madrasa found running without permission would face action. He said: “We are following orders. Registration is compulsory. No madrasa will be allowed to run without proper documents.”
This statement has spread fear among the Muslim community, especially among small madrasas that cater to children from poor backgrounds. Many such institutions were started decades ago in rural villages, and are now facing closure.
Maulana Shabbir Ahmed, who runs a madrasa in Bhagwanpur, said: “Our madrasa has been teaching poor children for twenty years. We never received any objections before. Now suddenly, we are criminals? What about the illegal temples and schools? Why are only Muslims being asked for papers?”
In a related development, over 500 Muslim graves have been demolished by authorities in the name of anti-encroachment drives. Locals say the graves were old and marked, and had never posed any problem to the public land.
Mohammad Arshad, whose grandfather’s grave was among those demolished in Haridwar, broke down while speaking.
“They did not even allow us to remove the graves respectfully. Bulldozers came and destroyed everything. Even the dead are not safe anymore.”
For many Indian Muslims, especially in villages and backward areas, madrasas are not just places of religious learning but also provide basic education, shelter, and food to children from poor families. In several cases, madrasas act as free schools where government-run schools are absent or dysfunctional.
Prof Raziya Naaz, an educationist based in Dehradun, said:
“There are problems in some madrasas, but they should be helped to improve, not attacked like this. This one-sided targeting is creating fear among Muslims and risks pushing youth further away from the system.”
She also pointed out the failure of the government to invest in education for minorities, especially Muslims. “When the government does not build schools in Muslim-majority areas, and then attacks the only institutions available, it is obvious that this is not just about paperwork. It’s about power and control.”
Several Muslim organisations and local leaders have asked for the government to open a channel for dialogue. They argue that if some madrasas are unregistered, they can be helped to meet the rules, instead of being demolished or sealed in police-led actions.
Maulana Khalid Saifullah, a cleric from Roorkee, said: “There is no problem in registration. But this campaign is not about paperwork. It’s about showing Muslims their place. We are being humiliated.”
Muslim families and community leaders across Uttarakhand are demanding that the same rules be applied to all communities. They want an end to what they see as selective action and have urged the state government to respect the Constitution.
Syed Farid, a social activist in Haridwar, said: “We are not asking for special treatment. Just don’t treat us like criminals. If we are Indians, treat us like it.”
As tensions grow, many are calling upon human rights groups and the judiciary to step in. So far, there has been no statement from the National Commission for Minorities or the central government regarding the crackdown.
The fear remains that this trend might continue, with more madrasas shut down, and more Muslim families left questioning their place in the country.
