No Class 10 student at Bahraich madrasa can write name in English

A surprise inspection at a madrasa in Bahraich has revealed that none of its Class 10 students could write their names, nor the name of the madrasa, in English, officials said.

- Shariq Rais Siddiqui

LUCKNOW/ BAHRAICH/ LAKHIMPUR KHERI/ GORAKHPUR: The Uttar Pradesh government has started action against unrecognised madrasas, mosques and allegedly illegal structures constructed on government land in districts along the India-Nepal border.

The district administration razed illegal structures to reclaim government land while the unrecognised madrasas have been closed.

The drive was launched in border districts, including Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Balarampur, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar and Maharajganj, on April 25.

Making a strong push for reforms in Uttar Pradesh's madrasa education system, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on April 25 had highlighted the need for strict compliance with infrastructural standards before granting official recognition to any madrasa in the state.

He had also proposed forming a committee to recommend necessary reforms for the smooth functioning of madrasas, job security for teachers, and a better future for the students.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court directed the state governments that no demolition should be carried out without a prior 15-day notice to the owner of a property and without following the statutory guidelines.

A state government officer said a drive has been launched to free the 0-10 km area along the India-Nepal border from encroachment and operation of unrecognized madrasas.

The 700-km border passes through seven Uttar Pradesh districts -- Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri and Pilibhit.

Citizens of both the countries move freely across the open India-Nepal border.

The security in the border areas is monitored by Sashashtra Seema Bal (SSB) and district police, he said.

"The state government has made it clear that illegal occupation and unrecognised religious or educational institutions within a 10-km of the Nepal border will not be tolerated.