In a pivotal legal development, a Special Leave Petition (SLP) has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging a significant judgment by the Allahabad High Court. On March 22, the High Court declared the ‘UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004’ unconstitutional, sparking a debate on the boundaries of secular education in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Allahabad High Court’s Decision
The Allahabad High Court, in a bold move, found the UP Board of Madarsa Education Act of 2004 to be in violation of the principle of secularism, a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution. The Act, which was intended to regulate and manage madarsa education in the state, was scrutinized for potentially breaching the secular fabric of the nation’s educational framework.
In its verdict, the High Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to integrate students currently enrolled in madarsas under this Act into the mainstream formal educational system. This directive aims to ensure that these students receive an education that aligns with the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution.
The petitioner seeks to overturn the High Court’s judgment, arguing for the constitutional validity of the UP Board of Madarsa Education Act.
