By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun/Nainital, 4 Jul: The Nainital district administration has sealed yet another madrasa in Ramnagar reportedly found to be functioning without valid registration. This action is part of a broader statewide campaign against unrecognised religious educational institutions.
District Magistrate Vandana Singh confirmed that the action followed a comprehensive survey of unauthorised madrasas in the Ramnagar area. She added that the madrasas identified during the survey were duly issued notices and provided adequate time to furnish documentation proving their recognition status. However, despite repeated extensions and reminders, the operators of several madrasas have failed to comply with the directives.
The latest enforcement drive was carried out following a surprise inspection led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pramod Kumar at Madrasa Miftul Uloom, located within the Jama Masjid premises in Ramnagar. Upon finding the institution operating in violation of established norms, the administration has promptly sealed the premises.
Vandana Singh further stated that this latest action brings the total number of sealed unauthorised madrasas in Nainital district to 27. The DM added that the identification process is ongoing and more such institutions are likely to face similar action in the coming days. In coordination with the education department, the children previously studying in these sealed madrasas are being shifted to recognised educational institutions to ensure continuity in their learning.
During the sealing operation at the Ramnagar madrasa, Municipal Council Chairman Akram arrived at the scene and reportedly had a heated exchange with SDM Pramod Kumar. The SDM clarified that the madrasa had no valid registration or operational clearance, necessitating administrative action in accordance with government orders.
At the state level, the government has thus far sealed 228 illegally operating madrasas, with the process of verification and inspection continuing in multiple districts. The drive, initiated under directives from the state government, ostensibly aims to ensure that all religious educational institutions adhere to regulatory requirements, including registration, hygiene, safety, and basic educational standards.
Meanwhile, on 5 June, the Uttarakhand High Court intervened in a related matter, had ordered the unsealing of madrasas in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar, which were shut down for similar reasons. The court, however, made it clear that these institutions would be permitted to resume operations only after complying fully with the state’s educational and administrative regulations. The government on the other hand claims that it aims to regulate all educational institutions uniformly, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to ensure lawful functioning and safeguard student welfare.
