Lucknow: In a landmark ruling, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has struck down the UP Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004, declaring it unconstitutional and in violation of the principle of secularism. The court has ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to integrate students currently enrolled in madrasas into the state’s basic education system.
This decision follows the Uttar Pradesh government’s establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in October 2023 to scrutinize madrasas, particularly concerning foreign funding sources. The petition challenging the constitutionality of the Act was brought forth by Anshuman Singh Rathod and others. During the court proceedings, Amicus Curiae Akbar Ahmed, along with other advocates, argued the case leading to the verdict by Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi.
The petitioners contested the authority of the Madrasa Board, raising concerns over the governance of madrasas by the Government of India, the State Government, and the Minority Welfare Department. Registrar of the UP Madarsa Board, Priyanka Awasthi, has indicated that they are awaiting the full court order to fully understand the implications of the ruling and to determine the next steps.
The court’s decision is seen as a significant move towards upholding the secular fabric of the education system, ensuring that all students have access to a uniform educational framework.
