In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has affirmed the constitutional validity of the Education Rights Act governing madrasas in Uttar Pradesh. This decision, announced on Tuesday, overturns a previous judgment by the Allahabad High Court, which had declared the Act unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has significant implications for the future of approximately 17 lakh students enrolled in these institutions. The Allahabad High Court had previously annulled the Act, citing violations of secular principles. However, the Supreme Court found the High Court’s assessment to be incorrect, emphasizing that the Education Rights Act aligns with constitutional provisions.
The court highlighted that this ruling impacts around 10,000 madrasa teachers and enables the continuation of operations for about 16,000 madrasas in the state. The decision has been met with relief and satisfaction from various stakeholders in the education sector.
After considering arguments from all parties, the Supreme Court delivered a decisive endorsement of the madrasa law. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Mishra, recommended that the Uttar Pradesh government ensure the provision of quality education while also safeguarding minority rights and the interests of the state.