“Immediately Rescind Unconstitutional Order of Closing Madrasas”: Jamiat
New Delhi: Terming the Uttarakhand BJP government’s decision to close 52 madrasas as unconstitutional, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (M) has demanded the immediate revocation of this action.
A delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, led by its General Secretary, Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, visited Dehradun to assess the situation of the affected madrasas. The delegation met with madrasa administrators to understand their concerns and the legal implications of these closures.
During the visit, the delegation inspected Madarsa Anwariya Hayatul Uloom and Madarsa Abu Bakr Siddiq in Chhota Bharuwala, Dehradun—both of which have been completely sealed, with government locks placed on their main gates. The madrasa administrators shared their difficulties and legal concerns with the delegation. Additionally, the delegation met with the Chairman of the Madrasa Board to gain a clearer understanding of the situation.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind assured the madrasa administrators that it would take all possible legal and constitutional measures to defend their rights. The delegation stressed the urgent need to safeguard the educational rights of madrasas. A detailed report is being prepared, based on which Jamiat’s President, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, will determine the next course of action.
Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi emphasized that religious madrasas are fully protected under the Indian Constitution. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had recently issued an interim stay against an order by the Chairperson of the Child Rights Commission, clearly stating that no religious madrasa should be closed. Despite this, 52 madrasas in Uttarakhand have been unjustifiably shut down under flimsy pretexts, which is a matter of serious concern. Even more troubling is that no written notice was provided to madrasa administrators before these closures.
He further stated that governments exist to uphold the rule of law, not to harass citizens or deprive them of their rights. Therefore, the Uttarakhand government must immediately reverse its actions.
The delegation included, along with the General Secretary, Maulana Mufti Zakir Hussain Qasmi, Hafiz Mahmood, and local representatives such as Maulana Naseebuddin (President, Jamiat Ulama Dehradun), Maulana Gulsher Ahmed (Vice President), Treasurer Pradhan Abdul Razzaq, Maulana Sufiyan, Maulana Abdul Quddus, Qari Abul Fazl, Maulana Tasleem, Mufti Khushnud, Master Abdul Sattar, Hafiz Farman, Qari Sajid, among others.
