Madrasa sealing drive faces strong opposition in Uttarakhand, officials return after protest

Millat Times Desk

30 October 2026 (Publish: 09:43 AM IST)

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Authorities in Uttarakhand have sealed two rooms at a madrasa in Roorkee for allegedly providing religious education without obtaining the required permission from the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority. 

Meanwhile, an administrative team attempting to seal another madrasa faced strong opposition from local residents and political leaders on Wednesday evening, October 28.

The action was carried out by a team from the Roorkee tehsil administration following information received by the state government and the Minority Education Authority about two institutions allegedly imparting religious education without the necessary authorisation.

The first operation took place at Darul Uloom Siddiqui Madrasa in Nanheda village. 

However, the administrative team encountered strong resistance after a large crowd gathered at the premises. Leaders associated with some political parties also arrived at the location and opposed the proposed action, maintaining that the madrasa had completed all the required documentation.

Due to the protest, officials could not proceed with the sealing of the institution. 

Instead, they served a notice to the madrasa management, asking it to obtain the necessary permission from the Minority Education Authority before returning without sealing the premises.

In a separate operation, the administration took action against Darus Salam Madrasa in Ladherdeva, Iqbalpur, where officials sealed two rooms. The action was taken under the state’s regulatory framework governing religious education in minority educational institutions.

The administration’s action comes amid significant changes to Uttarakhand’s madrasa regulatory system. 

The state replaced its Madrasa Education Board with the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education in 2026, bringing minority educational institutions under a common regulatory framework.

Under the framework, institutions are required to obtain recognition from the Education Department and the prescribed authorisation for imparting religious education. 

A recent amendment also provides for penalties of up to ₹5 lakh for violations, subject to the prescribed legal procedure.

The latest developments have brought the implementation of the state’s new regulatory framework into focus, particularly its impact on madrasa managements and the administration of religious education.