Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 1 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday hailed the Uttarakhand Minority Education Act, which came into effect on July 1, abolishing the Madrasa Education Board.
Uttarakhand Minority Education Act came into effect today, paving the way to repeal the Madrasa Education Board Act and the Rules for Recognition of Non-Government Arabic-Persian Madrasas, according to the Chief Minister's Office.
Addressing a minority educational institution recognition certificate distribution event in Dehradun, Dhami said that the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority, established by legislation, will provide students from all minority communities with "equal opportunities and quality education," giving a message of "One Nation, One Education."
He also targeted Congress for bringing in the Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Act, saying that the legislation "operated on the premise that minorities consisted solely of the Muslim community."
CM Dhami said, "Today is also a historic day. Today, as we launch a new law, an authority, and a system for educational institutions to improve minority education, the message of 'One Nation, One Education' is also emerging from our state. This sacred land of Devbhoomi has preserved our great traditions of education, knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality for centuries. With this in mind, and aiming to provide quality, value-based, and modern education to all sections of society, our government has taken the historic decision to establish the 'Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority' in the state, effective from July 1, 2026; simultaneously, the Madarsa Board has been dissolved."
He affirmed the state government's resolve to provide quality education to students from all the communities.
The Chief Minister said, "It is our government's firm resolve that every child in Uttarakhand--regardless of their background--must receive good values and a quality education that truly aids their progress. The Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority will provide children from all minority communities in the state with equal opportunities and quality education, ensuring not only a bright future for them but also creating avenues for their advancement in every respect."
"In 2016, the then-Congress government implemented the Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Act in the state. Under that Act, they operated on the premise that minorities consisted solely of the Muslim community, effectively excluding other minority groups. In contrast, our government has ensured--under the new law--that Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians, and Buddhists are granted equal rights. We all know that the National Education Policy, implemented in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given a new direction to the education system," he added.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Dhami called for Uttarakhand to be an example for the rest of the states in the country in the education sector.
"This is a very historic day for the education system of Uttarakhand. This program of awarding recognition certificates to the educational institutions recognised by the Minority Educational Institutions has taken place here, and children from all societies get good education, quality education, and modern education. The main purpose behind this is that all children should progress. All children should get quality education, which is the foundation of the nation's progress. This is a beginning made in our state, and this will also become an example in the field of education in the country. It will be established as a model for other states as well," the Chief Minister told the reporters.