The Dhami cabinet has taken a historic decision regarding minority educational institutions. In this episode, the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill-2025 has been approved, which will be introduced in the monsoon session of the Assembly starting from August 19 in the summer capital Gairsain. When this bill becomes an act, the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority will be constituted under it. Till now, the status of minority educational institution is available only to the Muslim community, but under the Act, along with Muslims, other minority communities like Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis will also get this facility. Not only this, Gurumukhi and Pali languages can also be taught in recognized minority institutions. Along with this, the Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016 and Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Rules, 2019, which recognize the educational institutions of the Muslim community, will be abolished from July 1, 2026. When the Minority Educational Institutions Bill becomes an Act, it will be the first such Act in the country, which will not only recognize the educational institutions established by all the minority communities in the state in a transparent manner, but will also ensure the quality and excellence of education. In the cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Sunday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the related bill placed by the Minority Welfare Department was approved after discussion. Under the Minority Educational Institutions Act, educational institutions of all six minority communities of the state will be brought under one umbrella.
No ban on religious education
When the Act comes into force, there will be no ban on religious education in recognized minority educational institutions. The authority will determine its curriculum. It will also ensure that education is imparted in these institutions as per the standards set by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education and the evaluation of the students is fair and transparent.
Special features of the Act
To obtain the status of a minority educational institution, it is mandatory to get recognition from the authority.
Registration of the institute in the Society, Trust or Company Act is mandatory to get recognition. Land, bank accounts and other properties should also be in the name of the institute.
The authority will not interfere in the establishment and operation of these institutions, but will ensure the quality and excellence of education.
Recognition will be withdrawn in case of financial irregularities, lack of transparency or activities against religious and social harmony.
These will be the benefits
Educational institutions of minority communities will get recognition through a transparent process.
Along with the quality of education, the constitutional rights of minorities will also be protected.
The government will be able to monitor the operation of the institutions and issue necessary instructions from time to time.
