A court in India has issued a ruling that significantly impacts Islamic schools, known as madrasas, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous. This decision comes just ahead of national elections, raising concerns about the treatment of Muslims under the Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The court ruling scraps a law governing madrasas, affecting over 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers. The court argues the previous law violates India’s secular constitution and orders students to attend conventional schools. This decision has been met with criticism from Muslims and rights groups who fear it marginalizes their community. The BJP government, led by Modi, denies any discrimination and claims the ruling aims to improve education standards in madrasas.
The ruling’s timeline for implementation remains unclear, but immediate closure of madrasas seems unlikely. The BJP’s commitment to Muslim education is questioned, especially considering the recent halt of a madrasa funding program in Uttar Pradesh. A Muslim official within the BJP expresses his own anxieties about balancing his party loyalty with the concerns of his community.
This ruling adds to existing tensions between the BJP and Muslims in India, with accusations of anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence. The BJP promotes a Hindu nationalist agenda, including the recent inauguration of a temple on a site previously occupied by a mosque.
The court decision and its execution will likely be a contentious issue in the upcoming national elections. The impact on Muslim education and the broader relationship between the BJP and India’s Muslim population remains to be seen.