‘Doesn’t violate principle of secularism’: Supreme Court upholds validity of 2004 UP Board of Madrassa Education Act | India News

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrassa Education Act, which Allahabad high court had struck down as ‘non-secular’, ordering closure of madrassas. However, it said that state has a vital interest in regulating madrassas to improve standards of education.
The SC calrified that while regulating standards of education in madrassas, state can’t violate minority community’s right to establish and administer educational institution. The apex court said the HC erred in terming Madrassa Act unconstitutional as it only allowed govt to regulate education stndards.
The SC said madrassas granting certificates beyond class XII – Kamil and Fazil – cannot be recognised by UP Madrassa Board as these are in conflict with the UGC Act. This means the 13,000-odd madrassas would continue to function in UP with the state regulating the education standards.