New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the recommendations of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) asking states to shift students of unrecognized Madrassas to government schools for alleged violation of the Right to Education Act.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra in an interim order restrained the Centre and state governments from acting upon the communications of NCPCR.

The apex Court’s order came on a petition filed by Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind challenging the NCPCR's recommendations.

Muslim body's counsel Indira Jaising told the bench that the sweeping nature of the NCPCR's directive lacked legal authority and it would adversely impact fundamental rights.

The apex child rights body had raised serious concerns about the functioning of Madrassas and called for stopping state funding to them unless they comply with the RTE Act, 2009.

On June 7, 2024, the NCPCR wrote to the Chief Secretary of the state of Uttar Pradesh directing that that the recognition of Madrassas not complying with the RTE Act be withdrawn.

On June 25, the NCPR wrote to the Centre's Ministry of Education to issue directions to all states union territories to conduct inspections of the existing Madrasaas with the UDISE Code.

It recommended that recognition and UDISE Code of Madrassa that do not comply with the norms under the RTE Act be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Following the recommendation, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary wrote to all District Collectors to conduct a detailed investigation of all government-aided/recognized madrassas in the State that admit non-Muslim children and for the immediate admission of all children enrolled in Madrassas into schools.

Tripura government also issued a similar direction on August 28, 2024. The Union government also wrote to all states and Union Territories to take action as per the NCPCR's instruction.

Challenging these recommendations and orders, Jamiat Ulema-l-Hind approached the top court.

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Another petition is also pending before the apex court challenging the Allahabad High Court's March 22 decision to strike down the Madrasaa Act, 2004.