The Supreme Court has granted a major relief to thousands of madrassas and lakhs of students in Uttar Pradesh by staying the Allahabad High Court order on the UP Madrassas Act 2004. SC has stayed the HC order which had declared the Act as unconstitutional. SC has also issued notices to the Madrassas Board, the UP government, and the central government and asked them to file their replies by June 30.
High Court’s decision not correct: Supreme Court
The SC in its order said that the Allahabad High Court’s decision was prima facie not correct. The Top court said that the Madrassas Act 2004 cannot be said to be violative of secularism. The Supreme Court also said that the role of madrassas is very limited and hence madrassa education cannot be against secularism.
What was the Allahabad High Court order?
The Allahabad HC had earlier declared the UP Madrassas Act-2004 as unconstitutional. The High Court had said that this Act is against the principle of secularism and had ordered the UP government to immediately improve the madrassa system and transfer the students studying here.
What is the Act?
The Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrassa Education Act was passed by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2004. The govt had decided to improve the education system of madrassas in the state. Through this Act, madrassas need to have certain standards to get recognition from the board. The Act also provides guidelines for madrassas on syllabus, teaching material, and teacher training. Lakhs of children study in these madrassas and thousands of people work in them. The Yogi government has also approved this law.
The HC order had raised questions about the future of students and teachers studying in madrassas, and they were all deeply worried. However, they have heaved a sigh of relief with the latest Supreme Court order. According to official figures, there are about 25,000 madrassas operating in UP. Of these, about 16 to 17 lakh students are studying.
