Supreme Court Upholds UP Madrasa Education Act
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the constitutional validity of the ‘Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act 2004’. This decision overturns a previous ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which had struck down the Act. Congress leader Rashid Alvi praised the verdict, emphasizing that the Constitution allows minorities to establish and manage their educational institutions, such as Madarsas, according to their preferences.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Rashid Alvi expressed his approval of the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that any verdict against the constitutional rights of minorities is unfortunate. Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticized the UP government’s stance on the Madrasa Act, suggesting that the ruling party should focus on unity rather than division based on religion.
BJP’s Perspective
The BJP, represented by leader Mohsin Raza, stated that the government respects court decisions and highlighted efforts to modernize Madarsas. Raza mentioned that under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi, there has been a push to integrate modern education, such as computer studies, alongside traditional teachings like the Quran.
Details of the Verdict
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, clarified that while the Madrasa Act is valid, it cannot regulate higher education levels like ‘Fazil’ and ‘Kamil’ due to conflicts with the UGC Act. The court acknowledged the state’s role in regulating educational standards but affirmed the rights of minorities to manage their institutions.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and rights in the country.
UP Madrasa Education Act -: This is a law in Uttar Pradesh, a state in India, that deals with how Madrasas, which are Islamic schools, are run and managed.
Allahabad High Court -: The Allahabad High Court is a major court in Uttar Pradesh. It makes decisions on legal matters in the state.
Congress -: Congress is one of the major political parties in India. It has been a part of India’s government many times in the past.
BJP -: BJP, or Bharatiya Janata Party, is another major political party in India. It is currently the ruling party in the country.
Rashid Alvi -: Rashid Alvi is a leader from the Congress party. He often speaks about issues related to minority rights in India.
Pramod Tiwari -: Pramod Tiwari is a Member of Parliament from the Congress party. He represents the interests of his party and the people in his area.
Mohsin Raza -: Mohsin Raza is a leader from the BJP. He works on issues related to education and minority communities.
UGC Act -: The UGC Act is a law that governs higher education in India. It sets rules for universities and colleges across the country.