Dehradun: In an unprecedented move, the Uttarakhand government has sealed over 170 madrasas across the state, citing lack of proper registration and legal documentation. However, the sweeping action has sparked a wave of concern and allegations from Muslim organizations, who claim that recognized institutions were also targeted without prior notice or fair procedure.
The crackdown began after an official directive from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in December 2024, instructing district administrations to verify the status of all madrasas operating in the state. A letter marked “Top Confidential,” issued by the Minority Welfare Department on December 23, 2024, ordered district-level committees to submit inspection reports within ten days.
According to state government data, 452 madrasas are officially registered under the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board, while approximately 500 operate without registration. Officials claim the action only targets the latter category.
Yet, ground reports from Dehradun and Haldwani reveal a different story.
Darul Uloom Muhammadiya Madrasa in Dehradun’s Kargi area is among the sealed institutions. Its manager, Mohammad Mohtasim, is still reeling from the sudden administrative action taken on February 28, 2025.
“Police, DM, and SDM all came with force. Children were studying at the time. We were not served any notice. We have both the Society Registration Certificate and a valid receipt of application for Madrasa Board recognition. Still, they sealed the building,” said Mohtasim, visibly distressed.
Notably, official documents show that the madrasa received temporary recognition on March 15, 2025, following a Madrasa Board meeting held on February 27. Yet, the madrasa had already been sealed a day after the meeting, before the recognition certificate could even be issued.
The closure has deeply affected parents like Aqeel, a daily wage labourer and father of a class 4 student at the madrasa. “I cannot afford private school fees. Madrasa education was free and nearby. Now I don’t know what to do,” he said.
He added, “Even if the administration had decided to shut these madrasas, they should have made alternative arrangements for our children first.”
A similar story emerges from Haldwani, where the Ihya Ul Uloom Madrasa was also sealed without warning. Treasurer Mohammad Shoaib shared that the madrasa had valid society registration papers and was awaiting recognition from the Madrasa Board when action was taken.
“Neither a survey was conducted, nor any notice given. How could the authorities seal a functioning institution like this?” he questioned.
Mohtasim’s attempts to seek redressal have met a bureaucratic deadlock. “I went to the DM, who directed me to the Madrasa Board. From there, I was sent to the SDM. No one is ready to help or even listen,” he said.
When contacted, Madrasa Board president Shamm Qasmi reportedly declined to comment on individual cases, referring all matters back to the local administration.
Here is a district-wise breakdown of the sealed madrasas:
Udham Singh Nagar: 65
Dehradun: 44
Haridwar: 43
Nainital: 25
Haldwani: 17
The sealed institutions often served low-income families, offering both religious and modern education at no cost. According to the Board’s mandate, registered madrasas are required to teach subjects from prescribed syllabi, maintain hygiene, ensure gender-segregated facilities, and implement water harvesting.
Multiple Muslim organizations have criticized the sweeping nature of the crackdown, alleging that even those with valid documents were not spared. “It feels like a community is being targeted in the name of legality. The government must differentiate between truly illegal institutions and those that are in the process of getting recognized,” said a representative of a local Muslim welfare group.
The government maintains that no religious bias is involved and insists the action is against “illegal and unregulated” institutions only.
