Tue Nov 05 07:05:37 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Upholds Validity of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Act, Reversing High Court Ruling

**New Delhi:** In a major relief for millions of students studying in madrasas across Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the Allahabad High Court that deemed the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Act, 2004 unconstitutional.

The top court bench, comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, declared the High Court’s decision incorrect and upheld the validity of the Madrasa Act. This decision ensures the continued functioning of the over 16,000 recognized madrasas in Uttar Pradesh.

The Allahabad High Court had declared the Act unconstitutional in March this year, arguing that it violated the principle of secularism and gave the state government undue power to regulate religious education. The court had also directed the state government to integrate madrasa students into the mainstream education system.

The Supreme Court, however, disagreed with the High Court’s interpretation, stating that the Act aims to regulate and improve the quality of madrasa education. The court also clarified that the awarding of degrees under “Kamil” and “Fazil” falls within the state’s jurisdiction and does not violate provisions of the UGC Act.

The Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Act, 2004 established the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education with the objective of streamlining madrasa education. The Act provides for a structured curriculum incorporating Islamic studies alongside general subjects like Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Science, and Mathematics. It also mandates the board to regulate, accredit, and monitor madrasas across the state.

This Supreme Court ruling brings clarity and stability to the madrasa education system in Uttar Pradesh, ensuring that these institutions can continue to provide religious and secular education to students across the state.

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