India's Supreme Court rescinds law imposing ban on UP madrassas

Months after the Allahabad High Court issued verdict banning Islamic schools in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the Indian Supreme Court Tuesday overturned the order, providing relief to thousands of students and teachers.

The Indian SC's order came months after the AHC had issued its decision in March this year.

The court disposed of a 2004 law governing Islamic schools, also referred to as madrasas, and said it violated the country's secular principles enshrined in the Constitution, directing that all students studying in such schools be moved to conventional educational institutions.

By setting aside the March order, the Supreme Court allowed the 25,000 Muslim schools to operate in the northern state, however, providing relief to 2.7 million students and 10,000 teachers.

"The act is consistent with the positive obligation of the state to ensure that the children get adequate education," Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said in court.

There was no immediate comment from the state government in response.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which also governs Uttar Pradesh, has been converting hundreds of madrasas into conventional schools in the northeastern state of Assam as well.

Muslims and rights groups have accused some BJP members and affiliates of promoting anti-Islamic hate speech and vigilantism, and of demolishing properties owned by Muslims.

Modi and the BJP deny religious discrimination exists in India, saying they work for the development of all communities.