Uncertainty looms over students of madrasas sealed by Uttarakhand govt

Mahmood, a daily wager from Sikroda in Bhagwanpur block of Haridwar, says he is deeply worried about the future of his two children, Afsha and Afvan. They study at Madrasa Islamia Arbia Iya Ul-Uloom, which was sealed by the Haridwar administration on March 22 as part of a statewide crackdown on unregistered madrasas.

“I don’t know if they will be able to continue their education after the Ramzan holidays,” Mahmood said. “I can’t afford private schools, and the madrasa’s proximity ensured their safety. Now, I am at a loss about what to do.”

Mubasshir Husain, a trustee of the 11-member trust that runs the madrasa, said, “Around 400 children study here, most of them from nearby Sikroda. Their families are poor and rely on the madrasa for education,” he said. “Now, their future hangs in uncertainty.”

Adil Ansari from Sikroda also echoed Mahmood’s line. He said he is also concerned about the future of his nephew Murid, who was a student at Madrasa Islamiya Naharulhuda in Vikasnagar, which was sealed by the Dehradun administration on March 2.

“This government action not only deprives students of formal education but also disrupts their religious learning. There has been no discipline in students ever since madrasa was sealed. They are spending most of their time on the streets,” he said.

Husain said, “Our madrasa was sealed without any prior notice. Around 50-60 policemen and officials turned up at the madrasa and verbally conveyed to us that we don’t have any affiliation with the madrasa.”

“Many madrasas have been waiting for clearance for years. Their meetings haven’t happened in years,” he said.

“Ever since the madrasa was sealed, parents have been coming to us every day, asking when it will reopen. This is nothing but the targeting of a particular community,” he said. “We run madrasas through an 11-member trust, funded by contributions from society. We do not take any aid from the government.”

On March 11, the child rights panel had written a letter to the education department to ensure the enrolment of students affected by the sealing of madrasas in government schools across the state. In his letter to director general, school education, Uttarakhand government, Shiv Kumar Barnwal, secretary of the Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights sought a report on the students affected due to the sealing of madrasas by March 31 along with their admission in the nearby government schools.

Geeta Khanna, chairperson of the child rights commission, said, “We appreciate the state government’s decision to close down illegal madrasas operating without the necessary approvals. It reflects the state’s commitment to ensure that all educational institutions meet the required standards, particularly in safeguarding the educational rights and welfare of children.”

According to officials, 136 unregistered madrasas have been sealed in the state so far. The madrasas sealed so far include 64 in Udham Singh Nagar, 44 in Dehradun, 26 in Haridwar and two in Pauri Garhwal.

They said the government will also investigate funding received by illegal madrasas that have been sealed across the state and a report in this regard will be submitted directly to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

On sealing of madrasas, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on March 22 said, “Whether it is illegal encroachment, illegal mazars, or anything else. We will deal with them according to the law.”

In December last year, the Uttarakhand government started a drive against “illegal” madrasas, following instructions from the chief minister.

Dhami on January 9 said, “Whether it is illegal madrasas or encroachment, it should not happen in Uttarakhand at any cost. Devbhoomi has a ‘mool swaroop’ (original form), people from across the country and world have a different view and faith towards it. It is a land of faith, religion, Ayush. We will remove encroachment, and orders have been given for verification of madrasas. The minority welfare department will see to it. The district magistrates and superintendents of police will supervise and run the verification drive.” “Their funding, links and backgrounds will be checked,” he added.

Uttarakhand has 13.9 % Muslim population according to 2011 census, mostly in Terai area. Haridwar and US Nagar districts have over 34% and 22% Muslim population, respectively.