Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has sealed 136 unregistered madrasas across the state and launched an investigation into their funding sources. The move, directed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is part of a broader crackdown on unregistered religious institutions, which the government claims pose security and regulatory concerns.
According to official estimates, there are around 500 unregistered madrasas in Uttarakhand, compared to 450 that are recognized by the state’s education department and Madrasa Board. Authorities have targeted institutions operating under the Societies Registration Act but lacking approval from education authorities. Many of these madrasas are located along the Uttar Pradesh border, an area flagged as a security risk.
Sealing operations have been conducted in multiple districts, including Udham Singh Nagar (64 madrasas), Dehradun (44), Haridwar (26), and Pauri Garhwal (2). The government has indicated that similar actions will continue, targeting illegal madrasas, unauthorized religious structures, and encroachments.
However, the move has drawn criticism from Muslim organizations. Khurshid Ahmed, state secretary of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, called the action illegal and unjust, arguing that madrasa administrators were not given proper notice before their institutions were sealed. He also pointed out that the crackdown occurred during Ramadan, disrupting religious and educational activities.
In response, Mufti Shamoom Qasmi, Chairperson of the Madrasa Board, assured that students from the affected madrasas would be accommodated in nearby schools or registered institutions. He also highlighted the need for educational equivalence between madrasa and school curricula, citing similar efforts in Uttar Pradesh.
The ongoing state-wide inspection, led by District Magistrates from all 13 districts, aims to determine the legality and financial backing of these institutions. Many unregistered madrasas reportedly follow curricula from major seminaries like Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Darul Uloom Deoband, rather than the official syllabus prescribed by the Madrasa Board.
With legal, educational, and security aspects at play, the controversy surrounding the closure of unregistered madrasas is expected to intensify in the coming months.
