How do madrasas operate?
Madrasas are educational institutions offering both religious and secular education, primarily funded by state governments.
In Uttar Pradesh, madrasas are regulated by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education, which oversees curriculum, exams, and teacher qualifications.
They typically focus on Islamic studies, with modern subjects like English and Science sometimes optional.
Madrasas award degrees like Kamil (undergraduate) and Fazil (postgraduate), but the 2024 ruling restricted these due to conflicts with national education laws.
Why did the Allahabad High Court strike down the law?
The High Court ruled the 2004 Act violated secularism by creating a state-run board for religious education, which it saw as discriminatory.
It argued that the absence of key modern subjects like English and Math in madrasas violated the right to quality education under Article 21A.
It also held that the state lacked the authority to legislate on higher education, which falls under Union jurisdiction.
What were the top court’s findings?
The Supreme Court disagreed with the High Court, stating that secularism alone cannot invalidate laws without clear constitutional violations.
It emphasized that states can regulate madrasas while ensuring they offer quality education, including modern subjects alongside religious teachings.
It invalidated provisions allowing madrasas to grant degrees like Kamil and Fazil because these fall under UGC jurisdiction.
What are the potential consequences of the ruling on the Centre’s funding for madrasas?
The Centre’s funding for madrasas has decreased significantly, from ₹10 crore in 2023-24 to ₹2 crore in 2024-25, potentially due to concerns about madrasa regulation.
This could lead to further funding cuts or policy shifts regarding state support for madrasas.
The ruling may also prompt reforms to madrasa curricula to align with national education standards while still respecting their religious character.
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