The Uttar Pradesh administration cracks down on “unrecognised” institutions near the India-Nepal border, triggering concerns over legality and fairness
SIDDHARTHNAGAR – In a disturbing move, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a series of actions targeting what it claims to be illegal mosques, madrasas, and schools in districts near the India-Nepal border. On Saturday, the authorities demolished two madrasas in Shohratgarh tehsil of Siddharthnagar, which were found to be built on barren government land without proper authorisation. The razing of the two madrasas in Jugdihwa and Pipra villages marks the first major demolition under the new crackdown on “illegal” structures.
The local administration, backed by a heavy police presence, used bulldozers to flatten the structures. District officials claim that the demolitions are part of a broader initiative to clear encroachments from government land. “Action is being taken following legal processes against encroachments on government land in Siddharthnagar, whether they are houses, mosques, or madrasas,” said Raja Ganapati R, the District Magistrate.
The crackdown has uncovered 625 “encroachments” within a 15 km radius of the India-Nepal border in Siddharthnagar, including 14 madrasas and three mosques.
The district administration’s move has sparked concern among local religious and educational groups about the legitimacy of the action. However, the authorities have asserted that their focus is on clearing encroachments without bias, with strict instructions to take similar actions against all illegal constructions.
In the neighbouring Gonda district, the administration has set its sights on 163 unrecognised schools and 18 madrasas. District Magistrate Neha Sharma has issued orders to close these institutions within 15 days and register FIRs against those responsible. The crackdown on Gonda follows a directive for officials to seal the unrecognised institutions and report the actions to the District Basic Education Officer by the deadline.
A large number of these “unrecognised” institutions are situated in the tehsils of Tarabganj, Colonelganj, Mankapur, and Sadar. The highest concentration of unregistered madrasas and schools is found in the Babhanjot development block, where 15 madrasas, including Madrasa Almarba Arabic College Islagpur and Madrasa Gulshan-e-Ahmed Raza Banduwari, are allegedly running without recognition. The local administration has warned that failure to comply with the deadline will result in stricter legal action.
“The administration has made it clear that anyone failing to close down these institutions will be held accountable,” said a senior official. “This includes not only the madrasa and school authorities but also the government officials responsible for overseeing these institutions.”
