Delhi High Court issued Notice to Centre on a plea seeking direction to take appropriate actions for regulating the education being imparted in all Madrasas, Maktabahs and Gurukuls based in India.

A bench comprising of the Chief Justice Rajender Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi issued a notice to the centre & sought their response on a plea filed by Sunil Saraogi through Advocates Vidhan Vyas and Akshat Bajpai.

The petitioners mentioned that they do not seek total abolition of the Madarsas, Maktabahs and Gurukuls, but only the seek implementation of guidelines for regulation of them.  It said in a plea that the state is enjoined under Article 14 to create a regulatory framework whereby a bright future for young individuals can be created. The Madarsas still teach the 18^th century syllabus and in respect to the Gurukuls, no regulatory framework exists. Due to this, the children attending such institutions are unable to compete with their peers in respect to job and future opportunities which will ultimately result in one section of ‘young India’ not being able to develop their faculties fully. Also, the education imparted in such institutions would lead the students having a parochial outlook devoid of “scientific temper and lacking fraternity and brotherhood.”

It said that there should be a framework regarding the curriculum and there should be State Madarsas Education Board/State Madarsa Board to look into all affairs of Madarsas and Maktabahs, just like that exist in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The petitioners prayed before the court that uniform standards of proficiency and excellence with respect to education should be imparted in all Madarsas, Maktabahs and Gurukuls. They also prayed before the court to issue appropriate writ, order/directions against the respondent in regard to the certificate issued by State Madarsa Education Board and unrecognized Madarsa, Maktabahs and Gurukuls being recognized for admissions, jobs and government examinations apart from other things.

-India Legal Bureau