The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the Minority Education Bill, 2025, a move that will extend minority institution benefits to communities beyond Muslims, including Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians, and Parsis.
The Bill is slated to be introduced in the state Assembly during the monsoon session beginning August 19.
Why the Bill Was Proposed
To be noted here, at present, the minority educational status in Uttarakhand is limited to Muslim-run institutions.
The new legislation, however, seeks to expand this status to other minority communities while also creating a transparent and structured process for recognition of all minority educational institutions.
As per the Pushkar Singh Dhami government, the Bill is aimed at ensuring quality education, standardised recognition procedures, and fair management of institutions. It will also permit the teaching of Gurmukhi and Pali in recognised schools starting July 1, 2026.
If enacted, the Bill will repeal the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019. Presently, madrasas are overseen by a Recognition Committee that monitors syllabus, exams, and inspections.
Under the new framework:
>> Recognition will be granted by a new authority.
>> Institutions must be registered under the Societies Act, Trust Act, or Companies Act, with assets in the institution’s name.
>> Recognition can be withdrawn for financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, or actions against social harmony.
>> Education must comply with Uttarakhand Board of School Education standards, ensuring fair evaluation of students.
It should be mentioned here that the Bill has generated mixed responses.
Some Muslim groups have expressed concern that nullifying the madrasa board could affect constitutional rights under Articles 26 and 30, which protect religious institutions, states an Indian Express report.
The state BJP leadership has, meanwhile, defended the move, saying it aligns with the party’s motto of “sabka saath, sabka vikas” and will allow other minority communities to access minority institution benefits.
Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat criticised the Bill as politically motivated, suggesting that the madrasa system should instead be modernised rather than replaced.
Meanwhile, Mufti Shamoon Qazmi, president of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board, welcomed the decision, stating it would benefit all communities while continuing religious education.
What the Bill means:
The Minority Education Bill 2025, once rolled out, will be the first legislation in India to establish a clear and uniform recognition process for minority educational institutions across multiple communities.
It is aimed at promoting educational excellence, transparency, and fair administration, while magnifying the scope of minority benefits beyond the Muslim community.
The Bill comes six months after a state-led madrasa-sealing drive, which targeted unrecognised institutions. This also reflects the government’s effort to regulate and standardise minority education in Uttarakhand.
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