Over 170 Madrasas sealed in Uttarakhand; CM calls it ‘historic step’
Dehradun: At least 170 madrasas have been sealed across Uttarakhand in recent days, following a statewide crackdown by the authorities on institutions that are allegedly running without registration. The action has drawn sharp criticism from sections of the Muslim community, who say that the move targets Islamic educational institutions unfairly.
In Haldwani’s Banbhulpura locality, which has a large Muslim population, a joint team of officials from the district administration, municipal corporation, and local police carried out inspections on Sunday. Officials said the inspection drive was focused on checking registration status and compliance with regulatory norms. Seven madrasas in the area were sealed for reportedly being unregistered.
Similar actions have been reported from other districts, including Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar, where authorities have either sealed madrasas or are continuing investigations.
The sealing orders followed surveys conducted by special teams set up by the state government, according to a statement issued by the office of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Chief Minister Dhami described the drive as a “historic step” and said institutions found leading students towards “radicalism in the name of education” would not be allowed to operate in the state. His remarks echoed the broader narrative pushed by some Hindu nationalist groups, which have claimed without evidence that certain madrasas promote extremist ideologies.
Local imams and members of the Muslim community have expressed concern over the move, calling it one-sided and discriminatory. They pointed out that many of the sealed institutions are decades old and have long served as centres for basic religious education. Some also accused the government of not providing a fair opportunity for madrasas to comply with regulatory requirements.
The action has raised questions about the future of hundreds of students enrolled in these institutions. Community leaders have demanded a transparent process and warned that the closure of such a large number of madrasas without due process could lead to distrust and marginalisation.
According to officials, the state currently has over 500 madrasas operating, and more may face closure if they are found in violation of rules laid down by the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board or the state education department. The government has not yet issued a statement on how displaced students from the sealed madrasas will be accommodated or supported going forward.
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Ajit Pawar rues Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka still not part of Maharashtra
Mumbai, May 1 (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said even 65 years after the formation of Maharashtra, there is one regret - that Belgaum and Karwar, parts of adjoining Karnataka, were still not merged with the western Marathi-speaking state.
Speaking at a party event organised on the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, asserted his outfit will not abandon the ideology of legendary social reformers Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and B R Ambedkar.
Recalling the work of chief ministers of Maharashtra from the first CM Yashwantrao Chavan to the incumbent Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said each one of them have contributed to development of the state since its formation in 1960.
"Maharashtra was formed out of struggle. Even if Maharashtra has completed 65 years of its existence, here is one regret in our hearts. Even today, the Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) of Belgaum and Karwar are still not with us. The case is going on in the Supreme Court.
"The day they are merged with Maharashtra, we can confidently said Maharashtra is now complete," he said.
Maharashtra has been demanding that Marathi-speaking areas in Karnataka -- Belgaum, Karwar, Nipani -- be merged with the state, a stand strongly opposed by the southern state.
Pawar noted India's population in 1947 was 35 crore, but it has now multiplied four times to 140 crore. The population of the state has also increased accordingly, he said.
He emphasised that those in power now and in the past have been working to address the water woes of Maharashtra, but with a growing population, the sources have become limited.
The deputy CM said some people oppose the bullet train project in India, but China and Japan have progressed because of such high-speed transport modes.
The erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government (November 2019-June 2022) had stopped the bullet train project connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad which is currently under construction.
