• India’s most populous state has banned Islamic schools after striking down a law governing madrasahs.
• With weeks away from the election, this move polarises the so-called world’s largest democracy.
In a seismic legal development with far-reaching implications, the Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh has declared the Madrasa Act of 2004 unconstitutional, effectively banning madrasas and triggering a heated debate on religious education just weeks before India’s upcoming nationwide elections.
The ruling, which mandates the transfer of students from Islamic madrasas to mainstream schools, has reignited discussions on secularism and religious freedom in the world’s largest democracy. At the heart of this controversy lies the question of whether a secular state should endorse religious education. The irony and hypocrisy in this issue is the fact that religious Hindu schools in India exist. While madrasas have come under scrutiny, Hindu schools, which provide education rooted in Hindu teachings and traditions, have largely escaped similar legal challenges.
Hindu students in Uttar Pradesh are learning from a deeply rooted Hindu nationalistic curriculum in a Hindutva school
Madrasas, long-standing institutions in India, provide a holistic education that integrates teachings from the Quran and Islamic studies with conventional subjects like mathematics and science. They have existed in India for more than 500 years; however, the court’s decision challenges the legal framework that permits the exclusive provision of religious education within a secular system.
Critics of the ruling argue that it undermines the rights of religious minorities and threatens the cultural diversity of Indian society. In an already polarised India in which experts believe a genocide against the Muslim population looks like a real possibility, this ruling is a boon for nationalist Hindutva extremists who may use it as a motivation to carry out more attacks against Muslims. Supporters of the ruling assert that it upholds the principle of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They argue for a uniform educational system that transcends religious boundaries and fosters national unity when in reality do not show the same amount of discontent with Hindutva schools.
With elections on the horizon, the ruling has assumed political significance, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where religious polarisation often influences voter behaviour. The decision could potentially sway electoral outcomes and shape the political discourse surrounding issues of religion and governance. As stakeholders grapple with the implications of the court’s decision, the future of madrasas and the broader debate on religious education in India hang in the balance. The outcome of this contentious issue will not only impact the educational landscape but also resonate deeply in the socio-political fabric of the nation.
