The government of Uttarakhand has initiated a “verification drive” targeting madrasas located in the districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar in response to a video that has been circulating on social media platforms.
The video allegedly depicts a group of individuals confronting a man suspected of transporting children from Bihar to madrasas in Vikasnagar, situated in the state capital. This footage was shared by a Facebook account. In the video, the group questions the children about the curriculum being taught in the madrasas and considers alerting authorities, referencing the recent repeal of the “Madrasa Board.”
On Thursday evening, Parag Madhukar Dhakate, the secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, sent a communication to district magistrates, acknowledging the viral video that implies children from other states are being brought to madrasas in Uttarakhand. Dhakate instructed the District Magistrates in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital to carry out comprehensive verification efforts in their respective areas and report back to the government with their findings.
The government has announced plans for a “thorough investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the children’s arrival, including parental consent and the identities of those responsible for their transport. “To facilitate this, extensive inspections and verification processes will be implemented in all madrasas throughout the state, and detailed reports will be compiled for the government,” the announcement stated.
Currently, there are 452 registered madrasas operating in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Minority Education Act of 2025, which is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, aims to establish an authority to oversee all minority educational institutions, with rules for governance under development. Under this new framework, all madrasas will be required to affiliate with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education and gain recognition from the newly formed Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority.
This legislation follows a verification initiative that led to the closure of over 150 madrasas registered under the Societies Registration Act. In January 2025, the Chief Minister had mandated a verification process, leading district administrations to assess madrasas for various factors, including their financial operations.
Aiswarya Raj serves as a Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on Uttarakhand. With a solid background in journalism, she began her career at the organization as a sub-editor for the Delhi city team, later honing her reporting skills in Gurugram and its surrounding areas before assuming her current position in Dehradun. She is a graduate of the Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala.
Her reporting encompasses state politics, governance, environmental issues, wildlife, and gender matters. Aiswarya has conducted investigations utilizing the Right to Information Act to explore law enforcement, public policy, and procurement regulations in Uttarakhand. Additionally, she has engaged in narrative journalism addressing socio-economic issues impacting local communities.
This concentrated and ongoing attention to vital regional news establishes a strong foundation for trust and authority regarding issues pertinent to Uttarakhand.
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