Do Not Destroy Madrasa Students’ Future Before the Supreme Court Decides Their Fate

The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government’s move to amend the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act to abolish the Board’s Kamil and Fazil degree-granting powers before the Supreme Court decides the pending petitions is unjust, premature and deeply insensitive. While the constitutional issue has already been settled, the Supreme Court is yet to decide whether Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, a UGC-recognised university, can affiliate these courses, conduct examinations and award degrees to students already enrolled. Instead of awaiting the Court’s decision on this transitional mechanism, the State is rushing legislation that threatens the academic future of thousands of students belonging to some of the most socially and educationally backward sections of the Muslim community. The Uttar Pradesh government must withdraw the proposed amendments and await the Supreme Court’s final decision to ensure justice and educational continuity for the affected students.

Mohammad Shafi
National Vice President
Social Democratic Party of India