Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken strict action over suspected irregularities in the minority scholarship scheme in several madrassas and institutions across Uttarakhand. He has directed Special Secretary of Minority Welfare, Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, to investigate the matter and submit a report within two weeks.
The issue surfaced after it was discovered that the Saraswati Shishu Mandir High School in Kichha—an institution not categorized as a minority school—was listed on the National Scholarship Portal as one. The portal claimed 154 Muslim students were enrolled there, raising serious concerns. Moreover, the school’s management is reportedly under Mohammad Shariq-Atiq, further complicating the case.
In Udham Singh Nagar, out of 796 scholarship applicants for 2021–22 and 2022–23, 456 students from six madrasas and institutions were found to have suspicious documentation. The state government has now ordered document verification for:
- 125 students of National Academy JMYIHS, Kashipur (run by Gulshafa Ansari)
- 27 students of Madarsa Al Jamia Ul Madariya (run by Mohammad Faizan)
- 39 students of Madarsa Albiya Rafeeq Ul Uloom, Bazpur (run by Javed Ahmad)
- 24 students from Madarsa Jamia Alia, Gadarpur (also linked to Javed Ahmad)
- 85 students of Madarsa Jamia Raza Ul Uloom, Bazpur (run by Irshad Ali)
The CM emphasized cross-verification of applicants, bank account details for scholarship disbursal, and background checks of school administrators and students. The matter has also been raised with the concerned Central Ministry.
CM Dhami stated that no corruption will be tolerated in Devbhoomi and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
