Uttarakhand abolishes Madrasa Board, mandates state curriculum for madrasas

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the dissolution of the state Madrasa Board, requiring all madrasas to adopt the Uttarakhand Board curriculum from July 2026 or face closure.

Speaking at an event in Haridwar, Dhami said the move ensures uniform, modern education for all students. “From July 2026, all madrasas in Uttarakhand will teach the syllabus prescribed by the Uttarakhand Education Board. Institutions that fail to implement this will be closedprescribed by the Uttarakhand Education Board. Institutions failing to comply will be closed,” he stated.

Hindu religious leaders at the event welcomed the decision. Swami Chidanand Muni of Parmarth Ashram said it would integrate students into the national mainstream, blending modern subjects like science and mathematics with spiritual values.

However, others were more critical: Mahant Ravindra Puri linked madrasas to “jihad” and called for nationwide closures, while Acharya Swami Kailashanand Giri argued that “Devbhoomi” states like Uttarakhand should restrict other religions.

No immediate response has come from opposition parties or Muslim organisations, though community leaders previously opposed the plan. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali called it “unlawful”, and Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi questioned the need to scrap the board rather than reform it.