The Uttarakhand administration on Thursday sealed two madrassas in Haldwani’s Banbhulpara area after their operations following their alleged failure to produce documents related to registration during an inspection. The move follows the state government’s drive to inspect institutions operating without the required recognition or permissions.
The inspection of Madrassa was conducted by a joint team led by the Haldwani City Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Banbhulpara to verify the registration, approval, and other documents. The actions have, however, caused concerns over the operators, with some even shutting them voluntarily.
Meantime, Halwani City Magistrate A.P. Vajpayee said that institutions cannot be allowed to operate without the required recognition and with the violation of prescribed rules. “No one will be allowed to operate any institution running without necessary recognition and following the prescribed rules,” Vajpayee said.
He said that the administration team during the inspection were checking the documents on the spot and also examining other arrangements that are associated with the functioning of the institutions.
The Haldwani action follows a day after authorities in Udham Singh Nagar sealed another madrassa, citing it as an illegal structure. Meantime, the madrassa operators said that an application had already been submitted to the concerned government department for the approval; however, the process had been delayed. And that they planned to challenge the administration’s decision in court. The crackdown has drawn criticism from those who argue that action against privately run religious educational institutions infringes constitutional protections, a claim disputed by authorities.
The Uttarakhand government has said its ongoing crackdown is directed at institutions operating without the necessary permissions, recognition, and documentation, rather than at madrassas as a category.
The campaign has nevertheless drawn criticism from some madrassa operators, who contend that sealing privately run religious institutions in this manner could infringe upon their constitutional rights. Some have moved the courts against the sealing orders, while others are considering legal challenges.
The administration, meanwhile, has maintained that inspections will continue across the state and that institutions found operating without the required approvals or documents will face legal action.
