The Supreme Court issued a stay on orders targeting unapproved madrasas, following a petition from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and demanded a response from the government within four weeks.
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — Despite a Supreme Court stay on orders concerning unapproved madrasas, the Uttar Pradesh government continues its scrutiny of these institutions, intensifying actions that have raised concerns across the state. More than 4,000 madrasas and schools have been inspected by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), focusing on unregistered institutions, as directed by the state’s Minority Welfare Department.
On October 21, the Supreme Court issued a stay on orders targeting unapproved madrasas, following a petition from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and demanded a response from the government within four weeks. Nevertheless, the UP Minority Welfare Department has issued fresh instructions to district minority welfare officers, urging cooperation with ATS inspections. These inspections aim to identify the operational timelines and funding sources of these madrasas, seeking clarity on why they remain unregistered.
The department’s director, Jay Rebha, informed officers that ATS investigations will focus on the funding of 4,191 madrasas and schools flagged for additional scrutiny. Officers have been tasked with supporting ATS teams during inspections to ensure comprehensive reporting on each madrasa’s compliance with standards, as well as details on how long they have been operating unregistered.
While the Supreme Court’s stay halts certain actions, the UP government maintains that its inspections pertain only to those schools and madrasas lacking mandatory approvals and operating without adherence to established standards. An official from the Minority Welfare Department clarified that current inspections do not breach the stay order, as they are solely focused on non-compliant institutions.
Despite reassurances, the continuation of inspections has sparked unease within communities associated with madrasas, who fear intensified scrutiny. The Supreme Court had previously stayed mandates concerning funding, admission demographics, and quality standards for UP madrasas, aimed at gathering data on Hindu students attending these institutions. Local madrasa representatives have expressed increasing concerns about potential biases in the inspection process and the potential impact on educational autonomy.
This continued action against madrasas has furthered debates on educational policy and religious autonomy, with madrasa stakeholders awaiting clarity from the government and judicial assurances on the boundaries of these inspections.
