Supreme Court Restores Madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, Allowing 2 Million Students Back to School

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has overturned a previous ban on madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, allowing over 2 million students to return to their studies. The decision reverses a March ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which had deemed the 2004 madrasa law unconstitutional, arguing it violated India’s secular principles.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud clarified that the madrasa law did not breach the Constitution and was in line with Article 30, which protects the rights of minorities to establish and manage their own educational institutions. The judgment permits approximately 2.6 million students and 10,000 teachers to return to around 25,000 madrasas across the state.

Muslim leaders have hailed the ruling as a significant relief, countering negative campaigns that had targeted Islamic schools. Wahidullah Khan of the All-India Teachers Association Madaris Arabia said the decision offered a “new lease of life” to these schools, which provide essential education to millions.