Non-Muslim edu institutes may get minority status in Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand Government will table a new Bill in the monsoon session of the Assembly to extend minority status to educational institutions run by Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi communities. The benefit has only been available to Muslim institutions so far.

The state Cabinet, chaired by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Sunday approved the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025.

The draft law seeks to create a transparent framework for recognising minority institutions, ensuring accountability and protecting their constitutional rights, while extending state benefits to institutions beyond madrasas. The Bill will be introduced in the Assembly on August 19.

Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Chairman Mufti Shamun Qasmi welcomed the Cabinet decision. He also assured the Muslim community that the Bill would not interfere with religious education.

“The CM’s effort that focuses on providing mainstream education to minority communities along with their religious education, is an inspiring example of social harmony and cultural preservation,” Qasmi told The Tribune over phone.

He further said the Bill would create a unique platform through which children from various minority communities could pursue their traditional religious learning alongside education prescribed by the state board.

According to officials, the legislation proposes to repeal the Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, with effect from July 1, 2026. It formally recognises the study of Gurmukhi and Pali in minority institutions. A new body, the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education, will be set up to grant recognition, oversee compliance with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education and ensure fair evaluation.

Officials said the legislation was designed to protect the cultural and educational rights of the minority communities, while creating a system that ensures quality, transparency and accountability.

The draft Bill also lays down conditions for eligibility, requiring institutions to be registered under the Societies Act, the Trust Act or the Companies Act, with all land, assets and bank accounts held in their name.

It further adds that recognition may be withdrawn in cases of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency or activities prejudicial to social or religious harmony. However, the proposed law carries a non-interference clause, under which the right of minorities to establish and administer institutions will remain untouched.

Officials said the legislation was designed to protect the cultural and educational rights of minority communities, while creating a system that ensures quality, transparency and accountability.