Bareilly, Oct 7 (NationPress) With Uttarakhand poised to become the first state to eliminate the Madrasa Board, All India Muslim Jamaat's National President, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, raised concerns about the necessity of a new bill given the presence of an existing board.

In an interview with IANS, Maulana Razvi expressed, “The Uttarakhand government has dissolved the Madrasa Education Board and enacted a Minority Education Bill. It is now being claimed that all matters concerning minorities, including the administration and oversight of madrasas, will be governed by this new legislation. This prompts a vital question: when there was already an educational authority in operation, what prompted the introduction of a separate Minority Education Bill and the dissolution of the current Madrasa Board?”

He further remarked, “If the Uttarakhand government genuinely aimed to serve the interests of minorities, they could have leveraged the Madrasa Board to execute policies, conduct examinations, and oversee associated matters.”

Accusing the state administration of partiality, he stated, “The Dhami government is evidently against Muslims. They persist in implementing such actions. Uttarakhand was the first to adopt the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and bulldozers were employed to demolish numerous madrasas. It seems they wish to eradicate everything linked to Muslims.”

Meanwhile, the Madrasa Board in Uttarakhand is on the verge of becoming a thing of the past as Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) has sanctioned the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025.

Upon the implementation of this Bill, all madrasas operating within the state will now need to gain recognition from the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority and establish affiliation with the Uttarakhand School Education Board.

This initiative is projected to be a significant milestone in rendering the state's education system more uniform, inclusive, and contemporary.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami characterized the decision as historic, asserting that it will usher in revolutionary advancements in Uttarakhand's educational landscape.

He stated, “Our aim is for every child in the state, irrespective of their class or community, to progress with equal educational opportunities.”

Additionally, he disclosed that starting from the academic session in July 2026, all minority schools will offer education aligned with the national curriculum and the New Education Policy. This will not only enhance educational standards but also provide students the chance to integrate into the mainstream.

Under this Bill, madrasas will now be required to register with the Uttarakhand Board, and it will be essential to incorporate subjects such as science, mathematics, and social studies into their curriculum. There will also be a focus on modern technical education and vocational training. This measure is set to empower students from minority communities for a brighter future.

With this decision, Uttarakhand has emerged as the first state in the nation to abolish the Madrasa Board and incorporate minority educational institutions into the mainstream education system. This initiative is anticipated to significantly contribute to educational uniformity and promote social inclusion.