‘Violates secularism’: High Court nixes Uttar Pradesh madrassa Act

Allahabad high court on Friday struck down as “unconstitutional” the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrassa Education Act, 2004, on the ground that it violated the principles of secularism with its “scheme and purpose” of “only promoting and providing education of Islam”, and allows degrees to be awarded in contravention of the UGC Act. Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Subhash Vidyarthi’s order upholding petitioner Anshuman Singh Rathore’s contention that the legislation was “ultra vires” — Latin for beyond the powers — directly impacts 15.75 lakh students enrolled in 13,329 recognised madrassas in UP.