Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reportedly announced the abolition of the state’s Madrasa Board, directing all madrasas to adopt the Uttarakhand Board of School Education curriculum by July 2026.
Speaking at an event in Haridwar, Dhami is said to have described the move as a historic step aimed at modernising education, while cautioning that institutions failing to comply would face closure in order to ensure equal learning opportunities across communities, Siasat Daily reported.
The decision was welcomed by several Hindu religious leaders present at the event. Swami Chidanand Muni reportedly supported the move, saying it could help integrate students into the national mainstream through a curriculum combining modern education with spiritual values.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, however, was said to have taken a stronger position, linking madrasas to social unrest and calling for a nationwide ban.
From the Muslim community, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali reportedly criticised the decision as unlawful, arguing that reforms could have been introduced without dissolving the board.
Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi also questioned the necessity of the move, suggesting that the existing board could have been utilised to implement regulatory changes.
The Madrasa Board is expected to be formally dissolved by July 2026.