The Uttarakhand government has launched an investigation into the operations of madrasas across the state, claiming to have identified approximately 200 ‘fake’ institutions. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the crackdown is aimed at eliminating madrasas involved in “illegal activities or receiving suspicious funding”. According to official reports, 129 madrasas in Udham Singh Nagar, 60 in Dehradun, and 21 in Haridwar were flagged as potentially fake. Dhami directed district police chiefs to conduct thorough inspections of madrasa operations, saying that any illegal funding or rule violations would lead to strict action.
The investigation has sparked controversy, particularly from the opposition Congress party, which has accused the government of selectively targeting the Muslim community. Congress state president questioned the timing of the crackdown, suggesting it was politically motivated given its proximity to upcoming elections. “Why do such actions always surface around elections? If an inquiry is necessary, it should also cover private schools where rule violations are common,” he said.
Local Muslim leaders and madrasa administrators have expressed concerns over the broad labelling of madrasas as ‘fake’ institutions. A madrasa administrator in Dehradun, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “This campaign is creating an atmosphere of fear among the community. Genuine institutions are being unfairly targeted.”
Muslim organisations have argued that the government’s focus on madrasas alone undermines their significant role in educating underprivileged children. “Madrasas have been serving educational needs for decades. They should be regulated, but targeting them exclusively raises concerns of bias,” said Maulana Rashid Qasmi, a religious scholar from Haridwar.
Earlier this year, the Uttarakhand government had also announced a policy requiring madrasas to include Sanskrit in their curriculum alongside Arabic and Urdu. While some supported the move as a step toward broader education, there were concerns about state intervention in religious education. The Ulema Council expressed that while they had no objection to teaching Sanskrit, it should not be imposed forcefully, as educational freedom must be respected.
Civil rights organizations have called for greater transparency in the ongoing investigation, urging the authorities to disclose the criteria used to label madrasas as ‘fake.’ Legal expert Advocate Shadab Khan said, “The government must clarify the basis of its investigation to avoid unjustified targeting of religious institutions.”
The Muslim community has called for balanced regulation across all educational sectors. “Accountability should be universal. If private schools and other institutions are also scrutinised, it will ensure fairness,” said social activist Hina Parveen.
Critics argue that the timing of the crackdown raises concerns about political motivations. Congress leader Harish Rawat commented, “This is nothing but a polarising tactic disguised as a governance measure.”
However, the Uttarakhand government maintains that the investigation is purely administrative. A state spokesperson said, “Our objective is to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of public funds. Religion has no role in this.”
