Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has announced plans to establish two new universities in the state, with the intention of affiliating all madrassas to these institutions. The goal is to streamline the recognition process for madrassas by integrating them with the universities, aiming to reduce future disputes.
“Our objective is to open two universities and affiliate the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education with them. This would ensure that all madrassas receive official recognition from the universities, thereby preventing any potential conflicts,” Rajbhar told PTI Videos. He pointed out that many colleges are already affiliated with universities like Lucknow University, Purvanchal University, and Shakuntala University, suggesting that madrassas could benefit from a similar system.
Currently, madrassas in Uttar Pradesh are recognized by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education. A recent letter from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), dated June 7, directed that all non-Muslim students in government-funded madrassas be enrolled in Basic Education Council schools for formal education. The letter also instructed that children in unrecognized madrassas should be admitted to Basic Education Council schools.
Uttar Pradesh has around 25,000 madrassas, with 16,500 recognized by the government, including 560 government-aided madrassas. Approximately 8,500 madrassas are not recognized by the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind’s legal advisor, Maulana Kaab Rashidi, emphasized the need for consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Nadwatul Ulama, and Darul Uloom Deoband, before implementing these changes. He stressed the importance of safeguarding the constitutional rights of minorities to establish and run their educational institutions.
Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education, expressed surprise at the proposed changes, noting that there has been no precedent for an education board being affiliated with a university.
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