Uttarakhand seals madrasas, parents fear for children's education

Parents of students at madrasas in Uttarakhand are worried about their children's future. The government recently sealed several madrasas, including Madrasa Islamia Arbia Iya Ul-Uloom in Haridwar. Mahmood, a daily wage worker, is concerned about his children, Afsha and Afvan. He fears they may not continue their education after Ramadan. He cannot afford private schools and relied on the madrasa for their safety and learning. Mubasshir Husain, a trustee of the madrasa, stated that around 400 children study there. Many come from poor families and rely on the madrasa for education. He mentioned that the future of these students is now uncertain. Parents have been asking when the madrasa will reopen, highlighting their desperation. Adil Ansari, another local, expressed similar concerns for his nephew, Murid, who attended a different madrasa that was also sealed. He noted that the closure disrupts both formal and religious education, leaving students without discipline and spending time on the streets. The sealing of the madrasas occurred without prior notice, according to Husain. Police and officials arrived unexpectedly, stating they had no affiliation with the madrasa. Many madrasas have been awaiting government approval for years, and the current crackdown is seen by some as targeting a specific community. In response, the child rights panel has urged the education department to enroll affected students in government schools. The chairperson of the commission expressed support for the government's actions against illegal madrasas, emphasizing the need for educational standards and children's rights. So far, 136 unregistered madrasas have been sealed in Uttarakhand, with most located in Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, and Haridwar. The government is investigating the funding of these madrasas and plans to report to the Chief Minister's Office. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that illegal encroachments and madrasas will be dealt with according to the law. He emphasized the government's commitment to removing illegal activities and verifying the legal status of madrasas in the state. The state has a 13.9% Muslim population, with significant numbers in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.