By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun/Nainital, 29 Jul: The Nainital High Court has delivered a decisive ruling barring the operation of unregistered madrasas in Uttarakhand. The verdict has reinforced the state government’s ongoing clampdown on unauthorised religious institutions. The verdict comes in the wake of the Pushkar Singh Dhami administration’s intensified drive against illegal madrasas, with over two hundred establishments having been already sealed, particularly in districts like Haridwar. Acting on mounting concerns over irregularities, the Police and the district administrations have been clamping down the madrasas which do not have formal recognition and registration with the appropriate authorities.
Responding to the recent enforcement actions, multiple madrasa bodies filed public interest litigations before the High Court, challenging the administrative crackdown and claiming procedural lapses. During the hearing held today, Justice Ravindra Maithani, presiding over a single bench, issued directions mandating the petitioner madrasas to submit an affidavit to the District Minority Welfare Officer. The affidavit must affirm that they shall refrain from conducting any religious, educational or prayer-related activities until they are officially recognised by the government. The Court further clarified that the prerogative to sanction or revoke madrasa operations lies entirely with the state government.
The petitioners, Jamia Razbia Faizul Quran, Darul Quran, Nuruhuda Education Trust, Sirajul Quran Arabia Rasadia Society, and Darululoom Sabria Sirajia Society, had contended that their institutions had been sealed without prior notice or due process. They submitted that applications for registration had already been filed but were pending due to procedural delays, particularly the non-convening of the requisite board meeting. Consequently, they sought judicial protection against closure until their registration status was conclusively adjudicated.
On the other hand, the Dhami government, which had earlier sealed 237 unauthorised madrasas, maintains that such actions are aimed at ensuring transparency and lawful operation of educational establishments. Although a few closures have since been reversed following judicial review, the High Court’s latest directive reaffirms that institutions operating outside the framework of legal recognition cannot be allowed to function. With this judgment, the debate surrounding madrasa regulation in Uttarakhand has gained renewed momentum.
