In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, reversing the High Court's decision to strike it down entirely. The Court held that the Act is a valid regulatory measure within the State's legislative competence to ensure educational standards in Madarsas—a right of religious minorities under Article 30. The Court clarified that statutes cannot be challenged solely for violating the "basic structure" of the Constitution; they can be struck down only for violating express constitutional provisions or exceeding legislative competence. However, the Court held that provisions regulating higher education degrees (Fazil and Kamil) conflict with the UGC Act and are unconstitutional; these provisions are severable, and the Act otherwise remains valid. The decision reconciles Article 21-A (right to education) with Article 30 (minority educational rights) through regulation of standards while preserving minority character.
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