In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsas Education Act, 2004, overturning the Allahabad High Court’s earlier decision that had declared the Act unconstitutional. The Supreme Court’s bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, emphasized the critical role of the Uttar Pradesh government in ensuring that the educational standards in madrasas align with contemporary academic expectations.
On March 22, 2023, the Allahabad High Court had ruled that the Act violated the principle of secularism and directed the state to integrate madrasa students into the formal education system. In response, the Supreme Court issued a stay on this ruling on April 5, providing temporary relief to approximately 1.7 million madrasa students.
Also Read: Fresh Death Threats to Salman Khan: Gang Demands Apology or Rs. …
During hearings, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized secularism’s “live and let live” philosophy and the need to regulate madrasas for national interest.
The court stated that while madrasas can provide religious instruction, they must adhere to specific educational standards. It highlighted that striking down the entire Act would leave madrasas unregulated, which could perpetuate educational disparities. “Quashing the law would be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater,” the Chief Justice stated, asserting that religious education is not contrary to India’s secular framework.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s position was clear; it maintained that the Act should not have been deemed unconstitutional. Legal representatives from both sides presented arguments over the course of two days, addressing concerns about educational quality and the integration of madrasas into the broader educational landscape.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding religious education in India, reaffirming the state’s commitment to balancing religious instruction with modern educational standards.
(By Ankita Singh, Web Team at C6N)
