The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday overturned an order that had banned Islamic schools, known as madrasas, in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state. This verdict brought relief to thousands of students and teachers affected by the earlier ruling.
In March, the Allahabad High Court had struck down a 2004 law regulating madrasas, saying it violated the country's principle of secularism. The court had ordered that all students in madrasas be transferred to regular schools. However, by setting aside that decision, the Supreme Court allowed around 25,000 madrasas to continue operating in Uttar Pradesh. This ruling benefits about 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers.
During the hearing, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized that the law is in line with the state's responsibility to ensure children receive a proper education. There was no immediate response from the Uttar Pradesh government to the ruling.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both Uttar Pradesh and Assam, has been transforming some madrasas into regular schools in Assam as part of its education reforms.
Critics, including some Muslim and human rights groups, have accused BJP leaders of promoting anti-Islamic sentiments and engaging in acts of discrimination.