Supreme Court Halts NCPCR’s Directive on Madrassas and Government Schools
The Supreme Court of India has temporarily stopped the implementation of recommendations by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) that suggested moving students from unrecognized Madrassas to government schools. This decision was made by a bench including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The court’s order came in response to a petition from the Islamic clerics’ group, Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind, which argued that the NCPCR’s directive lacked legal authority and could harm fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. The NCPCR had expressed concerns about Madrassas’ operations and suggested stopping state funding unless they complied with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
On June 7, 2024, the NCPCR instructed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to withdraw recognition from Madrassas not adhering to the RTE Act. Later, on June 25, the NCPCR asked the Ministry of Education to direct all states and union territories to inspect Madrassas with the UDISE Code and withdraw recognition from non-compliant ones.
Following these recommendations, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary ordered investigations into Madrassas admitting non-Muslim children and suggested transferring these students to government schools. The Tripura government issued similar instructions on August 28, 2024. The Union government also advised all states and union territories to follow the NCPCR’s guidance.
Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind challenged these actions in the Supreme Court. Additionally, another case is pending in the court regarding the Allahabad High Court’s decision to nullify the Madrassas Act, 2004.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and rights in the country.
NCPCR -: NCPCR stands for National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. It is an organization in India that works to protect and promote the rights of children.
Madrassas -: Madrassas are educational institutions where children learn about Islam and other subjects. They are similar to schools but focus more on religious teachings.
Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind -: Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind is an organization in India that represents Muslim scholars and leaders. They work to protect the rights and interests of Muslims in the country.
Right to Education Act -: The Right to Education Act is a law in India that ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years. It aims to make sure every child can go to school and learn.
Constitutional rights -: Constitutional rights are the basic rights given to all citizens by the Constitution of India. These include rights like freedom of speech, religion, and education.
