Authorities have recommended the closure of 90 madrasas for their failure to meet official guidelines
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A recommendation to close 90 madrasas in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited tensions in the district, raising concerns over the targeting of minority institutions. The move, attributed to non-compliance with government regulations, has sparked heated debates, with some claiming that the decision reflects an attempt to suppress educational institutions serving the Muslim community.
District Minority Welfare Officer Sanjay Mishra issued the recommendation amid concerns that the madrasas have failed to update their student records with the Apaar ID, a crucial government identification system designed to streamline student registration and tracking and ensure that all students are officially documented in government records.
Sanjay Mishra explained that the madrasas had been repeatedly instructed to comply with the Apaar ID requirement. The madrasas failed to carry out the necessary updates despite multiple reminders, including letters and teleconferences. “We had directed the operators of these madrasas to complete the Apaar ID registration of children as soon as possible,” Mishra said. “Yet, in a survey conducted last week, we found that none of the 90 madrasas had even started the process.”
The authorities’ decision to recommend the closure of these madrasas stems from their non-compliance with a rule that has been enforced across the state. While the failure to comply with this regulation may seem a technical issue, it has escalated tensions in the region, especially in the context of ongoing scrutiny over madrasas.
In addition to the issue of non-compliance, some reports have raised suspicions about the activities taking place at these madrasas. Located near the Nepal border, the madrasas have come under scrutiny due to their proximity to a sensitive area, sparking unfounded claims that they might be involved in suspicious cross-border activities. However, these allegations have largely remained unsubstantiated.
Despite this, the geographical location of the madrasas has fuelled some in the political and administrative circles to question whether there is an underlying agenda to monitor and control institutions serving the Muslim population. Such allegations have only added to the controversy surrounding the closure recommendation.
Madrasas have long been a cornerstone of Islamic education in India, offering religious instruction alongside academic subjects. While traditionally focused on Islamic studies, many madrasas in India, including those in Bahraich, have expanded their curricula to include mainstream subjects such as Hindi, English, Science, and Mathematics. This integration of modern education with religious teachings reflects a growing awareness of the importance of providing students with well-rounded educational opportunities.
In Bahraich, several madrasas have adopted comprehensive educational models to cater to the academic needs of students while preserving their religious identity. This evolution of madrasas into modern educational institutions has sparked debates about the role of religious education in a secular state and the government’s responsibility to support such institutions, rather than imposing punitive measures.
As the debate over the closure of these madrasas continues, many from the Muslim community have voiced their concerns over the government’s approach. Some have argued that this action is part of a broader trend of targeting minority educational institutions. “This is not just about Apaar ID; this is about the broader trend of targeting madrasas in the name of regulation,” said one local leader. “There is a perception that these institutions are being unfairly singled out, and the government is making it increasingly difficult for them to function.”
There is a growing call for dialogue between the authorities and madrasa operators to ensure that they are given a fair opportunity to comply with the regulations without facing punitive actions. “We want to work with the madrasa operators to resolve this issue,” said Sanjay Mishra. “Our goal is not to shut them down but to ensure they adhere to the necessary guidelines for the benefit of the students.”
Several political and community leaders and religious figures have also echoed this sentiment, urging the government to provide more support to madrasas in adhering to regulatory requirements. “The rules should be applied fairly across all educational institutions, not just those that serve a particular community,” one activist Shadab Ansari said. “If madrasas are facing challenges in complying with the regulations, the government should offer assistance, not threats of closure.”
At the heart of the controversy lies the delicate balance between governmental regulation and the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. While providing crucial religious education, madrasas also play a vital role in ensuring that Muslim students have access to basic education in subjects like Science and Mathematics. As such, many in the Muslim community feel that the closure of these madrasas would not only disrupt their education but also infringe upon their right to practice their religion.
“The government must understand that madrasas serve a vital purpose in our community,” said a local cleric Maulana Sarfaraz Nadvi. “They provide our children with the education they need, and we should not be forced to choose between following religious traditions and complying with government regulations.”
As the recommendation to close 90 madrasas in Bahraich makes its way through the administrative process, tensions are likely to continue rising. The dispute highlights the broader challenges facing the government as it seeks to regulate educational institutions while respecting the diversity of India’s religious communities. The outcome of this situation will depend on whether the authorities can engage in meaningful dialogue with madrasa leaders and find a solution that balances the need for regulation with the rights of the Muslim community.
In the coming weeks, discussions are expected to continue, with many hoping that a middle ground can be reached. Whether or not the madrasas are eventually closed remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding the decision underscores the importance of fair and transparent governance in the administration of educational policies, particularly when it comes to minority institutions.
