The first Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Modern Madrasa is set to open in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, marking the beginning of state-backed restructuring of Islamic seminaries.
However, religious leaders and madrasa administrators are pushing back, calling it a blatant attempt to erode the identity and purpose of madrasas.
As part of its madrasa modernization drive, Uttarakhand Waqf Board has introduced a new set of regulations. Madrasas will now include lessons on the ideals of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Classes will start with the national anthem, and retired defense personnel will be involved in promoting discipline and physical fitness.
Additionally, the board has banned the enrollment of students from outside the state in these institutions.
New Changes in Madrasa Curriculum
In furtherance to this initiative, the first “modern madrasa” will be established near Dehradun railway station in a Muslim-majority area. The government has officially approved the project, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami calling it a “dream initiative” aimed at improving education for Muslim students.
Shadab Shams, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, told The New Indian Express that the Dehradun madrasa will be inaugurated in April, with plans to upgrade 117 more under the board’s jurisdiction.
However, his remarks stirred controversy. Comparing madrasas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to “hubs of terrorism,” Shams said Uttarakhand’s seminaries would instead be based on “nationalist principles” under the state’s education model.
“We Will Not Teach Ramayana”
The Waqf Board claims some Muslim groups support the initiative. However, prominent religious bodies like Darul Uloom have strongly opposed it.
Maulana Mohammad Arif, President of Darul Ulema Uttarakhand, dismissed the changes as unnecessary interference.
“If students want to study the Ramayana and the Vedas, they can enroll in other schools,” he said. “Madrasas exist for religious education, and we will not allow these subjects to be imposed on us.”
Other clerics echoed this sentiment, questioning why the government was prioritizing madrasa reform instead of addressing job shortages or improving mainstream education for Muslim youth.
Akeel Ahmed, President of the Aam Aadmi Vikas Party, accused Waqf Board leaders of aligning with the BJP for political gains.
“Figures like Shadab Shams make these statements to stay in the ruling party’s good books,” he said. “If they genuinely support inclusivity, they should also advocate for Quranic studies in Gurukuls.”
A New Curriculum
Under the new structure, students will study science from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by Quranic education after 2 p.m. Former soldiers will lead national anthem drills and oversee fitness training. Officials say the goal is to instill patriotism alongside academic learning.
This push comes at a time when Uttarakhand, often referred to as the “Land of the Gods,” has seen a steady rise in Hindutva-driven policies. Critics argue that the latest move is yet another step toward reshaping minority institutions to fit a nationalist agenda.
The Bigger Picture
The government’s push to reshape madrasa education raises concerns about the broader pattern of state intervention in Muslim institutions.
While authorities claim they are integrating Islamic schools into the national education framework, critics argue that such policies deliberately undermine the autonomy of religious institutions.
Many believe the state’s relentless targeting of madrasas serves as a distraction from real economic and social challenges faced by Muslim communities. Rather than obsessing over madrasa reforms, Muslim leaders demand that the government focus on creating jobs for educated youth who already possess mainstream degrees in science and technology.
Despite the backlash, some officials from the Uttarakhand Minorities Commission have backed the proposal. Deputy Chairman Majhar Naeem Nawab defended the plan, arguing that learning about the Ramayana would promote interfaith understanding.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Madrasa Board Chairman Mufti Shamun Qasmi tried to downplay the controversy, claiming that aspects of Hindu scriptures were already included in NCERT curricula.
With plans to modernize 8 to 10 madrasas by the end of the year, and extend the new syllabus to all 117 institutions under the Waqf Board’s control, tensions are set to escalate. As the state pushes forward with its agenda, the battle over religious education and community autonomy in India’s secular democracy is far from over.
