The Supreme Court of India has overturned a ruling by the Allahabad High Court (AHC) that previously banned Islamic schools, or madrasas, in Uttar Pradesh, delivering significant relief to thousands of students and teachers.

The AHC’s order, issued in March, argued that the 2004 law allowing madrasas violated India’s secular principles and mandated that students be shifted to conventional schools.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, presiding over the case, stated, “The act is consistent with the positive obligation of the state to ensure that the children get adequate education.”

With this decision, approximately 25,000 Muslim schools in Uttar Pradesh – with over 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers – can continue operations, ensuring the continuity of education for millions of students across the state.

This ruling arrives amidst increasing national debates on education and religious rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Uttar Pradesh, has previously been involved in transitioning madrasas in Assam into conventional schools.

While the BJP states it works for all communities’ development, some Muslim communities and rights organizations have raised concerns over perceived anti-Islamic bias in certain policies.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, No official statement has been issued from the Uttar Pradesh state government.