The decision stops teachers’ salaries and raises fears among Muslim families about education rights; managements prepare to challenge the move in court
LUCKNOW — In a decision that has caused deep worry among Muslim families, the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council has suspended the affiliation of 18 madrasas across the state, affecting more than 1,000 students and dozens of teachers just weeks before board examinations.
The move has led to the immediate stoppage of teachers’ salaries, creating serious hardship for staff and uncertainty for students who are in the final stage of their academic year. Board examinations for scribes, maulvis and scholars are scheduled to be held in February.
Many teachers and parents fear that the repeated targeting of madrasas reflects a wider pattern of pressure on Muslim educational institutions in Uttar Pradesh.
However, the Madrasa Education Council has sought to calm students’ fears. Registrar Anjana Sirohi said that the suspension of affiliation does not mean cancellation of recognition. “Until the recognition of any madrasa is completely cancelled, students studying there will appear in the examinations as usual,” she said. “The suspension only affects the payment of teachers’ salaries. Teaching work and the examination process will continue.”
She added that the board is moving ahead with exam preparations and that the schedule will be announced shortly.
“All students of these madrasas will be able to sit the February examinations without any problem. The board will make sure that no student suffers,” Sirohi said.
Despite these assurances, teachers remain deeply concerned. For many, salaries are their only source of income.
A teacher from a madrasa in eastern Uttar Pradesh said, “We have been teaching regularly, preparing students for exams, but our salaries have been stopped without warning. How are we expected to run our homes?”
The Madrasa Board has stated that salary payments have been halted at the government level for now, but could be restored if the matter is resolved and recognition is reinstated.
In the past few days alone, the affiliation of four madrasas has been suspended, adding to confusion and fear. Muslim educationists say such actions damage the future of students who already face social and economic challenges.
The madrasas whose affiliation has been suspended include: Taalim-ul-Quran, Salahpur, Prayagraj; Ahle Sunnah Meraj-ul-Uloom, Delhi Gate, Ayodhya; Arabia Hashmatiya Meraj-ul-Uloom, Bhadokhar Bazar, Siddharth Nagar; Jamat-e-Islahiya, Muhammad Nagar Kathila, Etwa, Siddharth Nagar; Darul Uloom Gosia, Beira Banktwa, Khoria Bazar, Maharaj Ganj; Darul Uloom Arabia Hamidiya Ahle Sunnah, Panera Khas, Maharaj Ganj; Jamia Islamia, Madam Pura, Varanasi;Lu tfia Arabia, Aligarh; Anjuman Islamia Faiz-ul-Uloom, Kushinagar; Ashrafiya Misbah-ul-Uloom, Mubarakpur; Hanafia Zia-ul-Quran, Bara Chand Ganj, Lucknow; and Rashid Uloom, Saraiya, Varanasi.
While students have received some relief from the board’s statement on examinations, the question of teachers’ salaries and the dignity of madrasa education remain unresolved.
Management committees of several madrasas have decided to approach the courts. “We will challenge this decision legally,” a madrasa manager said. “Madrasas provide education to poor Muslim children. Stopping salaries and suspending recognition without clear reasons is unjust.”
As legal action looms, the episode has once again highlighted the fragile position of Muslim-run institutions in the state, and the urgent need to protect the educational future of Muslim students.
