Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that Uttarakhand will dissolve its Madrasa Board and require all madrassas to adopt the state education curriculum from July 2026. He made the announcement at a public event in Haridwar.
Dhami said the move aims to introduce uniform and modern education across institutions. He added that authorities will shut down madrassas that fail to implement the prescribed syllabus.
State Curriculum to Become Mandatory
The government plans to bring all madrassas under the curriculum of the Uttarakhand Education Board. Officials say the policy will expand access to subjects such as science, mathematics, and social studies alongside religious instruction.
Dhami described the decision as a step toward mainstreaming education and improving learning outcomes.
Support From Religious Leaders
Religious leader Swami Chidanand Muni welcomed the decision. He said the policy would help students gain broader knowledge beyond religious teachings and better understand national and global issues.
Meanwhile, Several organisations and leaders have criticised the move. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad called for stricter action against madrassas and made controversial remarks.
Swami Kailashanand Giri also questioned the need for madrassas in the state, drawing criticism for his comments.
Muslim Bodies Oppose Decision
Leaders from Muslim organisations have strongly opposed the policy. Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, associated with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said the decision is unlawful.
Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi questioned the rationale behind dissolving the Madrasa Board instead of reforming it. He argued that the board could have implemented educational changes while safeguarding minority rights.
The abolition of the Madrassa Board is set to take place from July 2026. Earlier, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2024, seeking to extend minority status to educational institutions run by communities other than Muslims. Meanwhile, it is also imperative to note that the month of April, 2025, also saw at least 170 madrasas sealed by officials in Uttarakhand.
