From the looks of it, the Indian government is not in the mood to even give the impression of being a secular state. The latest controversy in the state of Uttar Pradesh banning madressahs has sparked a heated debate among religious leaders and the general public. The ban has come just before the state elections, leading many to speculate about the timing and motivations behind the decision. The government stated that the move was aimed at curbing radicalization and promoting a more secular education system. However, critics have raised concerns about the implications for religious freedom and minority rights. If the court order is to be believed, these religious schools are “unrecognized and unregistered.” However, since the same court does not care much for the same religious schools being operated by Hindus and Christian missionaries, those questioning the government’s commitment to secularism and inclusivity are not entirely well-founded. The last few years saw mainstream political leaders come out in support of the ban on madressahs; arguing that these religious schools are breeding grounds for anti-national elements. Claiming that these madressahs promote a narrow and intolerant form of education that is not in line with the values of a secular and democratic society, the hardliners argue that by shutting down these religious schools, the government is taking a strong stance against extremism and terrorism. The raging debate highlights the complex and contentious nature of religious and educational policies in India. Even if the government had legitimate concerns about radicalization, it is essential to ensure that any measures taken do not violate the rights of minority communities or undermine the principles of secularism. Previously, the same saga had unwinded in the northeastern state of Assam where Modi’s BJP stood on the forefront of the firing squad and proclaimed that they “needed more doctors, police officers, bureaucrats, and teachers, from the minority Muslim community rather than Imams for mosques.” Such razor-sharp focus might have been easy to defend had the same lawmakers tried to reduce the number of Hindu priests. Incredible India, indeed. *