UP Madarsa Act / Supreme Court's decision on UP Madrasa Act, what does it mean for Yogi government?

UP Madarsa Act: The Supreme Court has given a historic verdict upholding the constitutional validity of the Madrasa Education Board Act of 2004 of Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday, a three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice considered the Act to be in line with the principle of secularism and did not violate the Constitution. With this decision, there will be no threat to the existence of about 17 lakh students studying in madrasas and 13 thousand madrasas running in Uttar Pradesh.

Supreme Court overturns Allahabad High Court's decision

Earlier, on March 22, the Allahabad High Court had declared the Act unconstitutional and directed the state government to send the students of madrasas to formal schools. After the order of the High Court, the recognition of madrasas in the state was terminated and the state government directed that madrasas which do not meet the required standards would be closed. In response to this, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, and the court had put an interim stay on the order of the High Court on April 5.

Impact of the Supreme Court's decision

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that the UP Madrasa Act does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution in any way. The court believes that the state government can control the standards of education, but this interference should not be in the administration of madrasas or religious education. The court also believed that the purpose of the UP Madrasa Act is only to ensure the quality of education and it is not against secularism.

Yogi government's response and scope for change in the Madrasa Act

The importance of the Supreme Court's decision is also very high for the Yogi government. The UP government had said in its argument in the Supreme Court that the Allahabad High Court should not have considered all the provisions of the Act as unconstitutional. Only those provisions should be reviewed which may be against fundamental rights. The state government was of the opinion that there is a possibility of improvement in the Act, but it is not right to completely reject it. Now it is clear from the decision of the Supreme Court that improvements can be made in the Madrasa Act, but it cannot be completely abolished.

What is the Madrasa Board Act 2004?

The Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act was passed in 2004, the main objective of which was to streamline and organize the education system in madrasas. Under this, the Madrasa Board was formed, which works to recognize madrasas and ensure their educational quality. Currently, about 13,000 madrasas in UP are recognized by the board, while about 8500 madrasas are operating without recognition.

Supreme Court's decision on madrasa education welcomed

Many leaders of the Muslim community welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a positive step. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani called it a relief for the future of madrasa education. He said that this decision has brought relief to millions of students, their parents, and the teacher community. At the same time, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said that this Act was made by the Uttar Pradesh government, and it was unfair to consider it unconstitutional. This decision of the Supreme Court has protected madrasa education.

Conclusion

This decision of the Supreme Court has averted a crisis on the education system of madrasas in Uttar Pradesh and has ensured that there is no negative impact on the future of lakhs of students studying in madrasas. Now the Yogi government will have to focus on the possibilities of improving the standards of education under this Act, so that the quality of education in madrasas can be increased.