Delhi HC issues notice in plea to regulate standard of education in Madrasas, Maktabas, Gurukuls

The Delhi High Court has issued notice in a plea seeking mandatory registration of all Madrasas, Maktabas and Gurukuls in India under a “regulated and recognized legal framework”..The petition also seeks uniform standards of proficiency and excellence with respect to the non-religious education being imparted in Madrasas, Maktabahs and Gurukuls across India with a view to increasing their standards..Notice was issued by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi in a plea by one Sunil Saraogi..Invoking the Right to Education under Article 21A and Right to Equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, the petition seeks to create a holistic and comprehensive regulatory framework through which complete growth of the students getting an education in Madrasas, Maktabas and Gurukuls can take place..“The education imparted has to be for the betterment of the individuals so as to imbibe in them scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry and reform as envisaged in Article 51A (h) of the Constitution. This will go a long way in strengthening India’s roots as a secular democracy.”.It is also contended that in spite of various schemes etc on the issue, the deplorable state of education provided in such institutions has continued..“The main reason for such a dismal situation is the absence of a proper legal framework to regulate the education imparted in such institutions. Efforts, time and again, have been made by various governments to regulate them but to no avail and a status quo remains.”.The petition thus seeks the establishment of a Central Madrasa Board and a Central Gurkul Board to regulate the education being imparted at these centres..The petitioner also seeks recognition of the certificates issued by State Madrasa Education Boards and unrecognized Madrasas, Maktabahs, and Gurukuls for the purpose of securing admissions to other institutions, jobs, as well as government examinations..However, it is clarified that petitioner does not in any manner seek total abolition of the Madrasas, Maktabahs and Gurukuls..The petition has been filed through advocates Vidhan Vyas and Akshat Bajpai.