Latest news with #MinorityEducationalInstitutionsBill
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bills on minority edu, religious conversion & UCC tabled in House
Gairsain: The state govt on Tuesday introduced eight bills on the first day of the monsoon session, including the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, and the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Minority Educational Institutions Bill replaces the Uttarakhand Madrassa Board with the newly formed Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority (USMEA), which will oversee recognition and standards for minority institutions. The legislation will also replace the Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Governmental Arabic and Persian Madrassa Recognition Rules, 2019, which are to be repealed, effective July 1, 2026. All madrassas would be required to obtain affiliation from Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) and apply to USMEA for minority status effective July 1 next year. The bill also extends minority educational benefits beyond Muslim institutions to Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis. An 11-member authority representing all six minorities has been established as well. The body will be headed by a person having at least 15 years' experience in teaching. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Europe Travel Hack That Saves You Hundreds on Trips! Learn More Undo Key provisions of the bill include mandatory registration under the Society, Trust or Company Acts, protection from interference and revocation of recognition for financial irregularities or activities "against religious and social harmony. " The authority will ensure education quality "as per standards set by UBSE." The Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill introduces harsher penalties for forced religious conversions, raising the maximum jail term from 10 years to 14 to 20 years, and in some cases, life imprisonment. The fine has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh. The bill states, "Whoever receives funds from foreign or other entities concerning unlawful religious conversion shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than seven years… and a fine not less than Rs 10 lakh. " It further adds that those who use force, coercion, or trafficking in conversion cases "shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment… which may extend to life imprisonment." Additionally, the govt tabled the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to extend procedural timelines, clarify provisions on marriage, divorce, live-in relationships, and succession and impose stricter penalties for offences such as "misrepresentation, concealment of serious criminal convictions, and obtaining consent through force or fraud." The amendments aim to "make the code more practical, equitable, and effective" to protect societal interests while streamlining legal processes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Madrassas need to get state board affiliation by July 1: Uttarakhand govt
The Uttarakhand government on Monday gave an ultimatum to all madrassas in the state—whether registered or unregistered with the Madrassa Board—directing them to secure affiliation with the Uttarakhand Education Board by July 1 next year or face closure, according to a report by India Today. The government also emphasised that madrassas would only be able to seek recognition as minority educational institutions after applying to the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority. Move linked to proposed Minority Educational Institutions Bill The announcement came a day after the Pushkar Singh Dhami cabinet approved the introduction of the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, in the forthcoming legislative Assembly session beginning on August 19. The Bill seeks to repeal the Madrassa Board and the rules that govern minority-run institutions in the state. According to an official statement, the draft legislation aims to extend the benefits of the Minority Educational Institutions status to minority communities beyond Muslims. Key provisions of the proposed Bill If enacted, the Bill will also allow the teaching of Gurmukhi and Pali in recognised minority institutions from July 1 next year. It will further result in the dissolution of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, as well as the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019. The existing rules authorise the Madrassa Board to design the syllabus, set guidelines, hold examinations, and inspect madrassas to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. At present, the Board has a Recognition Committee responsible for granting approval to madrasas. The Dhami government's move to introduce the new Bill comes six months after it launched a madrassa-sealing drive to close institutions not recognised by the Board or the education department. Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill approved This development follows the Cabinet's approval of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday. The legislation introduces stricter penalties for illegal conversions, bans propaganda through digital media, and provides protection for victims. It also prescribes punishment for marriage under false identity and for incitement to conversion via social media, messaging applications, or any online platform. The Bill expands the definition of inducement to include gifts, monetary or material benefits, employment, free education, promises of marriage, hurting religious sentiments, or glorifying another religion, all of which fall under the category of offences.
