Uttarakhand Government Initiates Verification Drive for Madrasas Following Controversial Video
Government Response to Social Media Video
The Uttarakhand government has ordered a verification drive for madrasas in several districts, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar. This move follows the emergence of a video on social media, which purportedly shows men confronting an individual accused of bringing children from Bihar to madrasas located in Vikasnagar, Dehradun.
The video, shared through a Facebook page, depicts a group questioning the children about the curriculum taught in the madrasas. The situation escalated to threats of contacting the police due to the supposed repeal of the Madrasa Board.
Official Directives Issued
On Thursday, Parag Madhukar Dhakate, the secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, formalized the government’s awareness of the video by issuing a letter to district magistrates. The letter instructs the officials to conduct thorough verification drives in their respective districts and to report the findings back to the government.
The letter emphasizes the need for a “detailed investigation” that will look into several critical aspects, including how the children arrived at the madrasas, whether parental consent was obtained, and who facilitated the children’s transportation. The government has committed to implementing extensive inspections and verification throughout all madrasas in the state.
Current Status of Madrasas in Uttarakhand
At present, there are 452 registered madrasas operating across Uttarakhand. The recent legislation, the Uttarakhand Minority Education Act of 2025, states that these madrasas will be subjected to new governance regulations starting July 1, 2026. This includes mandatory affiliation with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education and recognition from the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority.
Previously, a verification drive, which was ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in January 2025, led to the closure of over 150 madrasas that were operating under the Societies Registration Act. As part of ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and transparency, district administrations have been engaged in surveying madrasas to understand their operational and financial aspects.
Importance of the Verification Drive
The verification initiative is part of broader efforts by the Uttarakhand government to reinforce regulations and oversight of minority educational institutions in the state. By establishing clearer rules and a supervisory authority, the government aims to enhance the governance framework surrounding madrasas and ensure that they operate within the legal parameters set forth by the new legislation.
The proactive measures reflect the government’s commitment to address concerns related to children’s welfare and the educational content they receive in madrasas. As the verification drive unfolds, more clarity is expected regarding the conditions and operations of these religious educational institutions within Uttarakhand.
