Lucknow: The All-India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) and Islamic Center of India (ICI) have welcomed the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Act.
General secretary of AISPLB Maulana Yasoob Abbas and ICI chairperson Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said that the decision was a source of solace to numerous students studying in madrassas.
"Madrassas and educational institutions run by the Muslim community operate under Article 30 of the Constitution, which grants minorities the right to establish and administer their own educational institutions. Madrassas play a crucial role in India's fight for independence and continue to make substantial contributions to the field of education," Maulana Yasoob Abbas said in a statement.
Maulana Abbas said that the Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Act was drafted by the state govt itself and questioned how an act promulgated by the govt could be deemed unconstitutional.
He proposed that if the govt wishes to advance modern education in madrasas, it could initiate discussions with madrassa administrators. "Open dialogue can facilitate enhancement of educational standards in madrassas," he said.
"Apart from religious education, English, Hindi, science, and mathematics are also taught in madrassas, which assist students in becoming not only scholars but also engineers, doctors, scientists, bureaucrats, chancellors, lecturers, and professors," Maulana Khalid Rasheed said.
He said that madrassas also played a significant role in India's freedom struggle.