Uttarakhand: 136 madrassas sealed, funding to be investigated; politics or security issue?
#News Bureau March 25,2025
Why is the Dhami government taking action against madrasas? Many madrasas have been sealed and now their funding will also be investigated. After sealing 136 madrasas in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to investigate the funding of these institutions. This action, which started in March, targeted those madrasas which were not registered with the Education Department or Madrasa Board.
According to government estimates, there are 450 registered madrasas in the state, while more than 500 are running without recognition. These institutions are running under the Societies Registration Act, but now questions are being raised on their legality and funding. The Dhami government is taking action claiming that this has raised security concerns in the state.
The government statement said, ‘Action will continue against illegal madrasas, unauthorized shrines and encroachment. Unregistered madrasas have been found in towns bordering Uttar Pradesh, which are a matter of serious security concern.’
After the investigation started in January, the district administration investigated various aspects including the funding of madrasas. 64 madrasas were sealed in Udham Singh Nagar, 44 in Dehradun, 26 in Haridwar and 2 in Pauri Garhwal. Chief Minister Dhami has taken this tough stand saying that the cultural and geographical identity of the state has to be preserved. But the question is whether this action is really about security or is there an intention of political gain behind it?
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind state secretary Khurshid Ahmed termed this action illegal. According to The Indian Express report, he says that this step was taken without giving notice to the madrasa operators.
He said, ‘A government order is required for such a large-scale action, but it has not been issued. This action was taken during Ramadan, when children are at home and many madrassas were closed after the year-end examinations. The question is whether these children will be able to be accommodated in other schools and courses?’
According to the English newspaper report, Mufti Shamum Qasmi, chairman of the Madrasa Board, assured that the children of the sealed madrasas will be shifted to nearby schools and madrasas. He said, ‘We are waiting for the investigation report to know how many children study. It is our responsibility to ensure the right to education.’ Qasmi also said that efforts will be made to bring parity in the curriculum of madrasas and schools, as in Uttar Pradesh, Munshi and Maulvi courses have been recognized as equivalent to class 10 and Alim to class 12.
The results of the statewide investigation conducted by the District Magistrates of 13 districts have not been made public yet. Recognized madrasas come under the state’s Madrasa Education Board, while unregistered madrasas follow the curriculum of big seminaries like Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Darul Uloom Deoband. This step of investigating funding has raised controversy over the operation of these institutions and their financial sources.
This action strengthens the image of the Dhami government in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, which allegedly takes a tough stand against illegal activities and encroachment. But the opposition and the minority community are calling it a step hurting religious sentiments.
Is this step really for security and transparency or is it a part of the ruling party’s Hindutva policies? This question remains the center of debate.
In fact, in recent months, Uttarakhand has been in the news for news related to Muslims. Last year itself, Uttarakhand was in the headlines for the hatred being spread against Muslims. In the month of September, boards warning ‘non-Hindus’ were installed in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. ‘Rohingya Muslims’ and ‘hawkers’ were warned in this. Entering or roaming in their villages was banned. It was said that those who violate the ban would be punished.
Before that, in the month of July, the alleged hate order was passed in the state. In Uttarakhand too, hotels, dhabas, street vendors selling food items on the Kanwar Yatra route were ordered to display the names of their owners.
In March last year, Muslim traders in Dharchula were asked to close their shops and leave the city.
Anyway, the madrasa case is still going on. Sealing 136 madrasas and ordering an inquiry into their funding could be a step towards strengthening law and order in Uttarakhand. But this action without notice and clear guidelines raises doubts. To maintain the future of children and the trust of the community, the government will have to adopt a transparent and inclusive policy.
