The ongoing operations by the Yogi Adityanath government further intensify fears among Muslims over the increasing marginalisation of the community
NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW — The ongoing campaign against madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration, has intensified in recent weeks, drawing widespread criticism and concerns from the Muslim community. As part of the government’s relentless crackdown on unregistered and allegedly illegal madrasas, 34 institutions have been sealed so far, predominantly in districts near the India-Nepal border.
The latest action, which involved the sealing of several madrasas in districts such as Maharajganj, Bahraich, and Shravasti on Tuesday, is seen as part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s bid to crack down on what it claims to be “unrecognised” educational institutions. However, this action has sparked fears of further marginalising the Muslim community, already grappling with rising Islamophobia under the BJP-led government.
In Maharajganj, the Darul Uloom Ahle Sunnat Gausul Nizamia Madrasa, located merely 200 metres from the India-Nepal border, was sealed after it failed to provide the necessary documents upon inspection by district officials on April 29. Despite operating for several years, the madrasa’s operators could not present valid registration papers, which led the district’s Minority Welfare Officer to seal the institution. A teacher at the madrasa revealed that around 35 to 40 children were receiving their education there, but due to the lack of official registration, it became a target for closure.
“This madrasa has been in operation for many years, providing education to children from underprivileged backgrounds. But now, because of the lack of documentation, it has been sealed,” said the teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What is disheartening is that the madrasa was providing a place for education, not just for children from the local Muslim community but for many others too.”
The crackdown, which began as a result of government claims that certain madrasas were operating illegally, has spread to other districts as well. In Bahraich, a district near the border, the administration has sealed five madrasas, four of them located in Rupaidiha and one in Motipur. The District Minority Welfare Officer, Sanjay Mishra, led this operation, emphasising that the aim was to identify and close unregistered institutions.
“We are committed to ensuring that all madrasas operate within the legal framework. Our focus is on identifying those institutions that are not recognised by the government and taking appropriate action,” said Mishra during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, in Shravasti, two madrasas in Shahpur Bargadwa and Baghi village were sealed by the local administration for operating without the required recognition. District Magistrate Ajay Dwivedi stated that the campaign would continue until all illegal madrasas were identified and shut down.
“The purpose of this drive is to ensure that no institution operates without proper recognition and legal sanction. We are not targeting any specific community, but ensuring that the law is upheld,” Dwivedi said.
However, the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh remains deeply concerned about the continuing wave of action. The frequent targeting of madrasas in border areas has raised suspicions about the real motive behind these operations. Many in the community fear that these actions are not just about regulation but are also part of a larger agenda to marginalise Muslims, especially under the influence of Hindutva ideologies.
“It is clear that the actions against madrasas are motivated by more than just legal concerns. The Yogi government’s agenda seems to be rooted in Islamophobia,” said Arshad Alam, a prominent social activist in Uttar Pradesh. “Madrasas are an integral part of our community’s educational system. By closing them down under the guise of legal compliance, the government is sending a message that Muslims have no place in this state.”
The Yogi Adityanath government, however, has repeatedly denied these allegations, claiming that its efforts are aimed at ensuring security and order, particularly in sensitive areas near the border. The administration’s actions have been defended as necessary steps to maintain law and order, with claims that illegal operations in border areas pose security risks.
“Any madrasa operating without the proper documents is a potential risk to national security, and the administration has to ensure all educational institutions comply with the law,” a senior BJP leader stated on condition of anonymity.
Despite these claims, many see the crackdown as a political move to pander to the Hindutva base, where Muslims have long been portrayed as outsiders or a threat to the nation’s identity. The focus on madrasas, educational institutions that often serve impoverished Muslims in rural areas, has raised questions about the fairness of the government’s approach and its implications for minority rights.
This growing mistrust between the Muslim community and the state has also been exacerbated by Yogi Adityanath’s controversial statements and actions in the past, many of which have been perceived as divisive. For example, his comments on the “love jihad” controversy and the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya have only heightened anxieties about the government’s stance on religious minorities.
Critics argue that the government’s heavy-handed approach to regulating religious institutions is another step in a broader pattern of anti-Muslim policies. The sealing of madrasas, they claim, represents a direct attack on the community’s right to education and freedom of religion.
“The government’s focus on madrasas is an attempt to restrict Muslims from accessing education in a manner that aligns with their values and traditions,” said Khalid Ansari, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Muslim Welfare Association. “What they fail to understand is that madrasas are not just places of religious instruction; they are community centres where young Muslims learn their history, culture, and identity.”
The increasing restrictions on madrasas are also part of a wider trend across India, where educational institutions catering to Muslims are facing greater scrutiny and regulatory challenges. In Uttarakhand, hundreds of madrasas have been shut down in recent months for “failing to meet government standards”. These actions have prompted fears that this is part of a broader attempt to erode Muslim educational spaces across the country.
As the crackdown continues in Uttar Pradesh, the Muslim community is left grappling with a growing sense of alienation and insecurity. Many are questioning the Yogi government’s commitment to preserving religious diversity and pluralism, with some warning that such actions will only fuel further divisions between communities and undermine India’s secular fabric.
The future of madrasas in Uttar Pradesh and across India remains uncertain, with many hoping that the authorities will take a more inclusive approach to education that respects the rights and traditions of all religious communities.
While the government’s stance on illegal madrasas is presented as a matter of national security, it has raised profound concerns about religious discrimination and the treatment of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. With more madrasas expected to be sealed in the coming months, the question remains: will the government’s actions further alienate the Muslim community or lead to greater integration and understanding in a state grappling with rising religious tensions?
