National: In a bold step toward aligning religious education with nationalistic values, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board has announced that India’s recent military operation, “Operation Sindoor,” targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, will be formally introduced into the madrasa curriculum.
Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board, made the announcement on Tuesday after a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He described the cross-border military strike as a historic moment deserving recognition in classrooms. “Pakistan is an evil country, and this operation was a necessary lesson. We congratulated the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister on this epic achievement,” said Qasmi, emphasizing the operation’s inclusion as a patriotic lesson for students.
Positioning the move as a stride toward “mainstreaming” madrasas, Qasmi stated that religious institutions must reflect national sentiment. “To bring madrasas into the mainstream, we will include this operation in our curriculum,” he affirmed. The curriculum change falls under the authority granted by the Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Act, 2016, which empowers the board to approve textbooks and design educational content.
The board had earlier floated the idea of introducing Sanskrit and Hindu epics like the Ramayan and Mahabharat into madrasa syllabi — proposals that remain pending. However, incorporating Operation Sindoor represents the first concrete step toward redefining religious education through a nationalist lens.
Meanwhile, the state government’s crackdown on unauthorized madrasas continues to intensify. Following a directive by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in December 2024, over 180 madrasas operating without official recognition have been shut down. The move came after the Madrasa Board’s Recognition Committee met for the first time in nearly five years on February 27, setting the stage for stricter enforcement just a day later.
Qasmi didn’t mince words when addressing political opposition, accusing the Congress party of historically alienating Muslims from India’s national fabric. “Under CM Dhami’s leadership, we are committed to reversing that trend,” he declared.
The decision has sparked debate across educational and political spheres. Proponents hail it as a step toward national integration and modernization of religious education, while critics express concern over the potential politicization of faith-based schooling. As the policy takes effect, its impact on students, community perceptions, and the broader educational landscape is likely to unfold in the coming months.