Uttarakhand government seals 20 madrasas over regulatory violations

The Uttarakhand government has sealed or shut down 20 madrasas across the state due to alleged regulatory violations and failure to meet recognition requirements. This crackdown follows the BJP-led government's decision to abolish the state Madrasa Board in July, replacing it with a different authority for minority institutions.

Recent actions in Dehradun and Haldwani resulted in the sealing of five additional institutions. According to Minority Welfare Department Special Secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate, 17 of the 20 affected madrasas were sealed, while three managements submitted written undertakings to halt their own operations. Authorities stated that these institutions failed to produce necessary documentation regarding their legal recognition.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has defended the measures, emphasizing the need for modern, employment-oriented education. He stated that educational institutions must comply with prescribed rules and expressed concerns regarding discrepancies between the stated purpose of some madrasas and the actual education provided. The government has indicated that enforcement actions against institutions found in violation of standards will continue.