Indian Supreme Court Overturns Ban on Islamic Madrassas in Uttar Pradesh

The Indian Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the Allahabad High Court that banned Islamic schools, or madrasas, in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. This ruling provides relief to approximately 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers whose futures were uncertain following the initial March decision.

The Allahabad High Court’s order had mandated the closure of around 25,000 madrasas, stating that students be transferred to conventional educational institutions to align with India’s secular principles. However, the Supreme Court’s reversal now allows these Islamic schools to continue operations, emphasizing the state’s role in ensuring access to diverse educational avenues.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud remarked that the act governing these schools aligns with the state’s obligation to provide adequate education for children, asserting the importance of maintaining educational options for all communities.

While the Uttar Pradesh government has not yet commented, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs the state, has been actively converting some madrasas into conventional schools in Assam as part of an education reform effort. However, critics argue that certain BJP affiliates have promoted anti-Islamic rhetoric, raising concerns about the broader impact on Muslim communities in India.

Both Modi and the BJP deny any religious bias, stating that their policies aim to foster development across all communities.