A shocking revelation has been made concerning the issue regarding the operation of madrasas in Uttarakhand. Surprisingly, it has been uncovered that over 700 Hindu students are currently enrolled in Islamic education programs within the state’s madrasas.
The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Council has submitted a report on this matter to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, prompting the Commission to formally address the issue with the Uttarakhand government.
According to Rajendra Singh, the director of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Council, there are 749 Hindu students studying in 30 madrasas across Uttarakhand. These 30 madrasas have a total enrollment of 7,399 students.
Out of these, 21 madrasas are located in Haridwar, 9 in Udham Singh Nagar, and 1 in Goular Ghati Ramnagar of Nainital district. The Haridwar district includes madrasas in areas like Jwalapur, Bahadrabad, Laksar, Tilakpuri, Mahawatpur, Roorkee, Mangalore, among others. In the Udham Singh Nagar district, there are madrasas in places like Dak Bungalow Khera, Nai Basti, Laxmipur, Jaspur, Kela Khera in the Bajpur area, Ganeshpura, Mahua Khera of Kashipur, and more.
In these areas, there is a lack of government-run secondary education as government schools have been closed due to low enrollment. These areas have become predominantly Muslim after the formation of the state, leading to the establishment of madrasas.
Interestingly, the district administrations of Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital have not taken any steps to admit these Hindu children to schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Apart from Dehradun and Nainital districts, there are still many places where surveys have yet to be conducted.
In local madrasas, a significant number of Hindu children are being compelled to undergo Islamic education. Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, penned a letter on November 2, 2023, to the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand’s Minority Affairs, seeking detailed information on this issue.
The letter aimed to uncover the underlying reasons behind the enrollment of Hindu children in these institutions. The NCPCR has called for a comprehensive report to be submitted by November 9, 2023, regarding this matter.
Mahendra Bhatt, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, remarked, “Several madrasas have allegedly included the names of Hindu children in their enrollment drive to inflate student numbers and secure increased funding. In response, we have held discussions with the chief minister, stressing the necessity for strict measures, considering the nature of Islamic education provided in these madrasas.”
Shamoon Qasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Board, explained, “Primary education is already being offered in madrasas, aligning with India’s education policy, and this is a common practice across most madrasas. Despite some individuals lacking awareness, we have still called for an investigation into this matter.”
He went on to say, “In response to the Commission’s letter, we have initiated an inquiry to ensure that madrasas are not exclusively perceived as centers of learning for one religion. Our goal is to promote inclusivity, creating an environment where not only Muslim children, but also Hindu children, can receive an education. We are actively working towards fostering such an inclusive atmosphere.”
