The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has made a significant ruling regarding the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, declaring it unconstitutional. This decision, which came in response to a petition challenging the act’s validity, directs the state government to accommodate madrasa students in regular schools, affecting thousands of students across the state.
The division bench, comprising justices Vivek Chaudhary and Subhash Vidyarthi, emphasized that the state does not have the authority to establish an education board solely for a particular religion, deeming such actions as violative of secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The court’s 86-page order highlighted the importance of providing secular education to all children without discrimination based on religion.
This ruling impacts approximately 200,000 students enrolled in recognized and unrecognized madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. Concerns have been raised about the logistical challenges of transferring these students to other schools and the livelihoods of madrasa teachers and staff.
Various stakeholders, including the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) members, have expressed their apprehensions and are exploring legal options, including a possible appeal to the Supreme Court.
The court’s decision underscores the debate on minority education rights and the balance between religious education and secular principles in the Indian education system. The state government and political parties are assessing the implications of the ruling and considering their next steps to address the educational needs of minority communities while upholding constitutional values.
Sources By Agencies
