Uttarakhand Shifts Madrassa Holiday From Friday to Sunday, Sparking BJP-Congress Row

Recognised madrassas in Uttarakhand will now observe their weekly holiday on Sunday instead of Friday, following a directive issued by the State Minority Education Authority, officials said on Wednesday. The decision has triggered a political exchange between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

The authority, which has replaced the state’s Madrassa Board, has directed the Education Department to take the necessary steps to implement the change. The policy will apply to madrassas already recognised by the department as well as institutions that have applied for recognition.

Minority Welfare Minister Khajan Das said last week that 76 madrassas had received recognition, while another 114 institutions had submitted applications and were expected to receive recognition by the end of October. The figures cover recognised institutions and applicants.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami defended the decision, saying it was intended to establish a uniform system across educational institutions. He said all institutions should function in the same direction and follow common standards.

The BJP said madrassas brought under the Education Department’s framework must follow its prescribed rules, which do not provide for a separate weekly holiday on Friday. BJP MLA and spokesperson Vinod Chamoli criticised the Congress over its objections, accusing the party of pursuing vote-bank politics.

The Congress questioned the timing and rationale of the move. State Congress spokesperson Pratima Singh alleged that the BJP was raising issues related to madrassas and religious practices ahead of elections to promote communal polarisation.

Singh also questioned the government’s education priorities, asking why it was focusing on the weekly holiday instead of addressing problems in the state’s education system. She noted that schools generally close between 1 pm and 1.30 pm.

The holiday change comes as the state’s minority educational institutions are brought under the State Minority Education Authority following the replacement of the Madrassa Board. The new directive seeks to align the weekly schedule of covered madrassas with that followed by other schools.

The decision has become a point of contention between the two parties, with the government citing uniformity in educational administration and the Congress questioning its timing.