First modern madrasa in Dehradun faces opposition before inauguration, amid concerns over traditional values

However, Naeem Ahmed, President of the Muslim Seva Sangh, voiced strong concerns about the government’s approach to modernising madrasas. “If the essence of madrasas is altered in the name of modernization, we will challenge it in court without delay,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed also expressed his views on the curriculum, stating, “We are not opposed to teaching Sanskrit, the world’s oldest language, but Arabic and Urdu must also be prioritised in the curriculum.”

He questioned the government’s intentions: “Is it justifiable to inaugurate madrasas without addressing whether the modernisation includes playgrounds, smart classrooms, or the implementation of ICSE and CBSE curricula?”

Razia Baig, former president of the Uttarakhand Bar Council, added her voice to the debate, saying, “We have no objection to modernisation as long as the fundamental essence of madrasas is preserved. However, if these efforts are aimed at intimidating or controlling madrasas, we will not allow it to happen.”

The Uttarakhand Waqf Board currently oversees 117 madrasas throughout the state, contributing to a total of 419 registered institutions. However, estimates suggest that more than 800 madrasas may be operating illegally, with 190 already identified across various districts.