Nuh: The Haryana government has renewed its push to bring madrasas and gurukuls under the State Education Board, aiming to integrate them into the mainstream and extend financial support. In Nuh district, home to around 135 madrasas with 20,000 students, the proposal has sparked both interest and concern.
At Jamia Madi-Nul-Uloom, one of the largest madrasas in the region, directors stressed that while they value formal education, they fear interference in their core religious training. Maulana Mohammad Ilyas, director of the madrasa, said religious instruction is the foundation of these institutions and must remain intact. The madrasa already combines religious studies with modern subjects, with 150 students appearing for the National Institute of Open Schooling matriculation exam this year. It has introduced basic computer education and some of its students have gone on to join national universities.
Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena recently met madrasa directors and officials to discuss the plan. Government representatives said the meeting aimed to build trust. About half of the madrasa leaders who attended expressed willingness to seek affiliation.
Community voices remain divided. Some leaders suggested that affiliation should not be compulsory and that madrasas should be free to choose boards such as CBSE, ICSE, or NIOS. Others proposed creating a separate board for madrasas, as seen in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Mufti Rafeeq Ahmad Qasmi of Al-Jamiatul Islamia said many institutions want to align with the State Board but face delays. He urged quicker implementation, noting that parents are increasingly seeking modern education for their children.
