SC Upholds Constitutional Validity of UP Madarsa Act, Sets Aside Allahabad HC Verdict

New Delhi: In a big move, Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld constitutional validity of Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Education Act, setting Allahabad High Court's verdict aside.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Maj Misra prouned verdict against Allahabad HC's March 22 judgement striking down Madarsa Education Act 2004 as "unconstitutional."

"We have upheld validity of UP madrassa law and moreover a statute can be struck down only if State lacks legislative competence," CJI said.

top court furr said that legislative scheme of law was to standardise level of education being prescribed in madrassas.

decision comes as a big relief to teachers and students of UP madrassas as high court had ordered closure of seminaries and relocation of students to or schools in state.

Allahabad High Court's March 22 judgement comprised a battery of lawyers on behalf of eight petitioners, including Anjum Kadari, besides Additional Solicitor General K M Natraj, who appeared for Uttar Pradesh government, for almost two days before reserving verdict.

High Court declared Act as "unconstitutional" and violative of principle of secularism and asked state government to accommodate madrassa students in formal schooling system.

In a relief for about 17 lakh madrassa students, SC stayed HC order on April 5.

(Inputs from PTI)