State funding of religious institutions: Allahabad High Court seeks reply of Uttar Pradesh government

Justice Ajay Bhanot asked the State government to file a counter affidavit within a period of four weeks and fixed October 6 as the next date of hearing.

The Allahabad High Court has sought details from the Uttar Pradesh government on funding of religious institutions such as madrasas recognised and aided by it, and asked whether the policy to provide financial aid to such institutions is consistent with the secular scheme of the Constitution. Hearing a writ petition filed by Madrasa Anjuman Islamia Faizul Uloom and another, Justice Ajay Bhanot asked the State government to file a counter affidavit within a period of four weeks and fixed October 6 as the next date of hearing. The Bench asked the State government to bring in the record the syllabi/courses, conditions and standards of recognition including the requirement for playgrounds at the madrasas and all other religious institutions which are recognised or aided by the State government.