The crackdown is seen as a systematic campaign to marginalise Muslims and the community’s religious institutions
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – As part of its systematic campaign to stigmatise Muslims and the community’s religious institutions, the Uttarakhand government of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has shut down over 170 “illegal” madrasas across various districts in a recent crackdown.
The government has been accused of propagating negative stereotypes about Muslims, claiming these seminaries are hubs of ‘unlawful and radical activities’
Officials targeted the madrasas citing a lack of registration with the state’s Madrasa Board or the education department.
More recently, in Haldwani’s Muslim-majority Banbhulpura area in Nainital district, a joint team of officials from the district administration, municipal corporation, and local police conducted a special inspection of several madrasas on Sunday, (April 13). During the drive, 14 madrasas were sealed for allegedly operating without valid registration, media reports reaching here said on Monday.
Besides Haldwani’s Banbhulpura, the focus of the drive remained on ‘sensitive’ areas in Haridwar, and Dehradun — all flagged by the officials for being potential hotspots of illegal activities. In several cases, officials allege no construction approvals had been taken, and mandatory compliance with educational norms was missing.
According to a press release from the chief minister’s office, the crackdown was based on findings from detailed surveys conducted by special government-appointed teams.
The chief minister described the sealing of madrasas as “a historic step,” emphasising that institutions promoting radicalism wouldn’t be tolerated.
State officials have hinted that it may be just the beginning and said nearly 500 madrasas are currently under scrutiny and facing possible closure. Many of the recently sealed madrasas have been operational for decades.
The sealing of madrasas has left many students, particularly from economically weaker sections, without access to education. In Dehradun district alone, the closure of 14 “unregistered” madrasas affected at least 150 students. Community leaders have raised concerns about the sudden disruption to students’ education and the lack of alternative arrangements.
The crackdown has elicited strong reactions from various Muslim organisations and political figures.
The Uttarakhand Muslim Seva Sangathan condemned the sealing of madrasas, labelling the move as “unconstitutional” and expressed concerns over the lack of due process in the crackdown.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati also criticised the government’s actions, urging it to refrain from “prejudiced” and “non-secular” measures that could hurt the religious sentiments of any group.
Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, head of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board, acknowledged the issue of unregistered madrasas and urged these institutions to comply with registration norms to ensure quality education for students.
