Operation Sindoor in Uttarakhand madrasas' syllabus: 'We don't believe in two-nation theory'

Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, President of Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board

The Uttarakhand Madrasa Board has decided to include ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s recent military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in the curriculum of madrasas across the state. The announcement was made by Board Chairman Mufti Shamoon Qasmi on Tuesday, after he met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Speaking to ANI, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, said, "A delegation of the Muslim community met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and we congratulate the defence minister on Operation Sindoor. We conveyed our thoughts that we are with PM Modi. Taking inspiration from that, we thought of a new beginning, and we will teach the children studying in Madrasas about Operation Sindoor... Pakistan killed our innocent civilians... We are not those who believe in the two-nation theory. We don't differentiate between Hindus and Muslims... We are including it in the syllabus as the country is paramount... We will begin this from 2025..."

“We want to share the successful story of the ‘Operation Sindoor’ with our children so that future generations understand how our soldiers executed it with strength, bravery, and courage, ensuring no civilian casualties,” he added.

Qasmi also criticised the Congress party, claiming it had alienated the Muslim community from mainstream society. He added that under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership, steps would be taken to ensure that madrasas contribute to national unity and awareness.

According to the Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Act, 2016, the board has the authority to decide the syllabus, choose textbooks, and prepare teaching materials for madrasas. Earlier, Qasmi had also announced plans to introduce Sanskrit and Hindu epics such as the Ramayan and Mahabharat in madrasa education, though these changes have yet to be implemented, The Indian Express reported.

Meanwhile, the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government is cracking down on unrecognised madrasas. Since December 2024, over 180 madrasas have been sealed for operating without valid recognition from the board or the education department. The board’s Recognition Committee, which had not met for nearly five years, finally convened on February 27, just one day before the sealing drive began, the report said.