A troubling situation has surfaced in Uttarakhand, where over 400 illegal madrasas are operating unchecked across the state’s four districts, including Dehradun. Despite calls from the National and Uttarakhand Child Rights Protection Commissions for immediate action, the district administration has yet to take substantial measures to address the issue.
Reports reveal that illegal madrasas are proliferating in Uttarakhand, with the need for a decisive crackdown becoming increasingly urgent. In contrast, BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh have already acted decisively by shutting down such institutions.
There are indications that some madrasa operators, fearing action from Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath government, have relocated their operations to Uttarakhand. Institutions such as Darul Uloom from Deoband, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Tablighi Jamaat, and Muslim Seva Sangh are reportedly supporting this shift.
Rising Madarsa in State
A recent development has heightened concerns: the Uttar Pradesh Police recently recovered 93 children in Ayodhya, who were being transported from Bihar to madrasas in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand by a cleric. This incident suggests a broader scheme involving the relocation and indoctrination of children into madrasas under the guise of Islamic education. Additionally, there are allegations that these madrasas receive financial support from Deoband.
In a recent investigation conducted by the Child Rights Protection Commission at the Jamiyatul Salam ul Islamia madrasa in Azad Colony, Dehradun, it was found that the madrasa was neither registered with any educational institution nor with the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board. Approximately 250 children were found crammed into a 400-square-yard building, which had no construction permits from the district administration or MDDDA.
Among these children, 55 were identified as labourers from Bihar, raising questions about their circumstances and the reasons for their relocation. Many such madrasas in Dehradun operate without registration, relying on local donations collected on Fridays or financial aid from Deoband madrasas. The lack of government oversight means there is no information on the curriculum or conditions in these madrasas.
Months ago, similar illegal madrasas were discovered in Haridwar district following complaints to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights about Hindu children being enrolled under the RTE Act. The Commission had summoned all thirteen district officials from Uttarakhand to Delhi, demanding reports on all madrasas. While nodal officers have been appointed in each district, investigation reports have yet to be made public.
Officials and Activists Demand Action
Dr Geeta Khanna, Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Child Rights Protection Commission, has urged the state government to expedite the investigation of these madrasas. According to the Commission, most madrasas in Uttarakhand fail to meet the standards for child rights and education. There is a pressing need to understand why children from other states are being brought to Uttarakhand and the motives behind this practice.
Jagveer Saini, coordinator of the Vedic Mission organisation, has expressed concerns that the recruitment of children from other states into madrasas is part of a larger conspiracy that could lead to demographic imbalances in Uttarakhand.
Kuldeep Swedia of the Veer Savarkar organisation has highlighted that the closure of fake madrasas in Uttar Pradesh has led to their reopening in districts such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital. The recent violence in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani, reportedly originated from a fake madrasa.
Additionally, reports suggest that dozens of madrasas linked to Deoband are operating in the Pachuwa area of Dehradun, adjacent to Saharanpur district. These madrasas have encroached on government land and converted it into permanent structures. The MDDDA and district administration have yet to issue notices to these institutions. Given Uttarakhand’s traditionally Hindu character, the proliferation of fake madrasas is becoming a significant issue, indicating a need for stringent measures.
Chief Minister’s Stance
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured that a comprehensive investigation of all madrasas in Uttarakhand is underway. Following his statement, administrative activity has increased in the districts. However, natural disasters and other administrative concerns have impacted the progress of madrasa investigations. Fake madrasas have already been closed in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
