SC stays Allahabad HC order scrapping Madarsa Education Act

NT Bureau, Agencies

New Delhi: In a breather to about 17 lakh madarsa students, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order of the Allahabad High Court that scrapped the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 calling it "unconstitutional" and violative of the principle of secularism.

Observing that the issues raised in the petitions merit closer reflection, a three-judge bench issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and others on the pleas against the high court order.

"The object of Madarsa board is regulatory in nature and Allahabad HC is not prima facie correct that establishment of board will breach secularism," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.

The top court said the high court "prima facie" misconstrued provisions of the Madarsa Act.