AIMPLB Seeks Withdrawal of Order on Madrassa Students in Meeting with UP CM

A delegation from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday. They requested the withdrawal of a government directive that mandates transferring students from unrecognised madrassas to state-run schools.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, present at the meeting, stated that the delegation was led by the board's general secretary, Maulana Fazlur Rahman Mujaddidi. The delegation voiced their objection to a notice issued to 8,449 madrassas in Uttar Pradesh, which instructed district administrations to enrol these madrassa students in basic education schools.

Objections to Government Orders

The delegation described the order issued by then Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra on June 26 as unconstitutional. They argued that it infringes on minorities' rights to establish and manage educational institutions of their choice. Madrassas and vedic paathshalas are also exempt from the Right to Education Act 2009.

The AIMPLB also strongly objected to a letter from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) sent to the Chief Secretary on June 7. This letter directed that all non-Muslim students in government-funded madrassas be transferred to Basic Education Council schools for formal education.

Chief Minister's Assurance

Farangi Mahali mentioned that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured them he would look into the matter. The delegation emphasised that the order affects the educational rights of minority communities.

Durga Shankar Mishra's order, dated June 26, was addressed to all district magistrates in Uttar Pradesh. It cited the NCPCR's letter from June 7, which instructed that all children in unrecognised madrassas should be admitted to council schools.

Implementation Committees

The letter also recommended forming district-level committees by district magistrates to oversee this process. These committees would ensure the smooth transition of students from unrecognised madrassas to state-run schools.

Uttar Pradesh has around 25,000 madrassas, with approximately 16,000 being government-recognised. Among these, 560 receive government aid.

The AIMPLB's meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlights ongoing concerns about educational policies affecting minority institutions in Uttar Pradesh. The outcome of this dialogue remains awaited as stakeholders seek a resolution that respects constitutional rights and educational needs.