UP madrasa funding probe: All India Muslim Jamaat chief welcomes ATS inquiry
Synopsis
The head of the All India Muslim Jamaat has publicly backed the UP-ATS's inquiry into madrasa funding — the fifth such investigation order since the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh. With the Allahabad High Court refusing to stay the probe, and madrasa bodies signalling full cooperation, the inquiry into 4,000-plus institutions is set to move forward, even as Congress demands equal scrutiny of all religious bodies.
Key Takeaways
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi , President of the All India Muslim Jamaat , welcomed the UP-ATS probe into madrasa funding on 4 July .
The inquiry covers more than 4,000 madrasas across Uttar Pradesh and is the fifth investigation order since the BJP government took office in the state.
The Allahabad High Court refused to interfere, ruling the probe is a fact-finding exercise, not a coercive action.
Madrasa representatives say they are ready to open documents, registers, and curriculum to ATS investigators.
Congress leader Husain Dalwai demanded equal financial scrutiny of temples, citing alleged donation irregularities at Ayodhya's Ram Temple .
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, on Saturday, 4 July welcomed the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad's (UP-ATS) probe into the funding of more than 4,000 madrasas across the state, saying that madrasa representatives are fully prepared to cooperate with investigators.
Background to the Probe
The ATS inquiry is the fifth investigation order issued into madrasa operations since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to power in Uttar Pradesh. Members of the Madrasa Arabia Association had challenged the latest order before the Allahabad High Court, which declined to interfere, ruling that the inquiry amounted to a fact-finding exercise and did not constitute any coercive action against the institutions.
What Maulana Razvi Said
Speaking to reporters, Maulana Razvi described madrasas as an 'open book' and a 'clean mirror', asserting that those who run the institutions have nothing to conceal. 'ATS officials are welcome to come whenever they wish,' he said, urging investigators to examine documents, registers, and even the curriculum being taught to students.
He added: 'Let them come to madrasas and see for themselves the documents, registers and even what is being taught to students. They should also witness how we run the madrasas and the difficult circumstances under which the students are taught.'
While welcoming the ATS mandate, Maulana Razvi noted that since madrasas fall under state-level Minority Welfare Departments, it would have been more appropriate for that department to conduct the probe. He nonetheless said the community accepts the Centre's decision to assign the task to the ATS.
Congress Raises Parity Question
Congress leader Husain Dalwai used the occasion to raise a broader question of institutional parity. 'If the accounts of madrasas or dargahs are being examined, then why are temples being exempted? That is wrong,' he said. Dalwai also referred to alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, arguing that all religious institutions should be subject to the same level of financial scrutiny.
Significance and What Comes Next
The ATS probe covers funding sources for over 4,000 madrasas in Uttar Pradesh — one of the largest such inquiries into Islamic educational institutions in the state's recent history. This is the fifth such order since the current state government took office, indicating a sustained pattern of oversight rather than a one-off exercise. With the Allahabad High Court's backing now in place, the ATS is expected to proceed with site visits and document verification. The outcome could have implications for madrasa funding regulations across the country.
Point of View
Or have they become a recurring political signal? Congress's demand for parity across religious institutions, while politically motivated, points to a genuine accountability gap that selective scrutiny only deepens. The Allahabad High Court's hands-off stance means institutional checks are not the issue — the real test is whether the ATS findings, when they emerge, are made public and acted upon uniformly.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UP-ATS madrasa funding probe?
The UP-ATS probe is an investigation into the funding sources of more than 4,000 madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. It is the fifth such investigation order issued since the BJP government came to power in the state.
Why did the Allahabad High Court refuse to stay the probe?
The Allahabad High Court ruled that the ATS inquiry is a fact-finding exercise and does not amount to any coercive action against the madrasas. Members of the Madrasa Arabia Association had approached the court seeking to halt the investigation.
What did the All India Muslim Jamaat say about the ATS probe?
All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi welcomed the probe and said ATS officials are free to visit madrasas at any time. He described the institutions as an 'open book' and said representatives are ready to show documents, registers, and curriculum to investigators.
Who is affected by the madrasa funding inquiry?
The probe directly affects the administrators and staff of more than 4,000 madrasas in Uttar Pradesh. It could also set a precedent for how madrasa funding is regulated and scrutinised in other states.
What has the Congress said about the madrasa probe?
Congress leader Husain Dalwai questioned why temples are exempt from similar financial scrutiny, calling the selective approach wrong. He also referred to alleged irregularities in donation handling at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, arguing all religious institutions should face equal accountability.
