Accusations of anti-National activities draw strong reactions from Muslim leaders and opposition
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its scrutiny of madrasas in West Bengal, with senior leader Kailash Vijayvargiya alleging that these religious institutions are fostering anti-national ideologies. This move is part of a broader campaign by BJP leaders across various states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Assam, where madrasas have faced similar accusations.
Vijayvargiya, a prominent BJP figure, claimed that intelligence agencies are investigating several madrasas in West Bengal and have allegedly discovered evidence of suspicious activities. “Many madrasas in West Bengal are allegedly promoting anti-national ideologies. Investigations are underway, and evidence has been found in some places,” he said. However, he did not provide any concrete proof to support his claims.
The BJP’s renewed focus on madrasas has ignited a political storm, with opposition parties condemning the move as an attempt to polarise voters ahead of upcoming state elections. A senior Congress leader criticised the allegations, saying, “The BJP is trying to create a false narrative to demonise the Muslim community and divert attention from real issues. These claims are baseless and politically motivated.”
In Maharashtra, BJP Minister Nitish Rane recently alleged that a minority educational institution in Nandurbar district had sheltered a Yemeni national. Rane wrote to the Chief Minister demanding an investigation. However, Vijayvargiya distanced himself from Rane’s statement, stating, “I do not fully support his statement. A comprehensive investigation is necessary before making such claims.”
Political analysts argue that the BJP’s focus on madrasas is part of a broader strategy to consolidate its Hindu voter base. “The BJP is using these allegations to reinforce its narrative of nationalism and security, which appeals to its core supporters,” said a political commentator.
Muslim scholars and madrasa administrators have strongly refuted the BJP’s allegations, calling them an attempt to malign religious institutions that have historically contributed to India’s educational landscape.
Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat-e-Ulama-iHind, criticised the BJP’s accusations, saying, “Madrasas have been centres of learning for centuries. If the government has credible evidence against any institution, let them present it in a court of law rather than making baseless claims in the media.”
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim echoed these sentiments, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. “The BJP has no real issues to discuss, so they are trying to divide people along religious lines. Our government ensures that all educational institutions function within legal frameworks,” he said.
This is not the first time the BJP has targeted madrasas. Similar allegations have been made in several BJP-governed states, often without substantial evidence. In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Assam, BJP leaders have repeatedly called for stricter monitoring of madrasas, arguing that they propagate ideologies contrary to national interests.
Last year, the Assam government demolished a few madrasas, claiming they were linked to terrorist activities. However, human rights groups criticised the move, calling it arbitrary and discriminatory. “The demolition of madrasas without due legal process sets a dangerous precedent. It reflects the BJP’s broader agenda of marginalising Muslims,” said a representative from a human rights organisation.
Despite repeated accusations, the BJP has yet to produce substantial proof to back its claims against madrasas. Critics argue that such statements create unnecessary panic and deepen communal divisions.
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the BJP’s allegations “a deliberate attempt to defame Muslims and their educational institutions.” He added, “Madrasas have played a crucial role in education, and many of India’s top scholars have studied there. The BJP is misleading people by creating false narratives.”
As the debate continues, Muslim leaders and opposition parties have urged the government to follow due legal procedures rather than resorting to media trials and political propaganda. “If there are genuine security concerns, let there be transparent investigations. But using madrasas as a tool for electoral politics is unacceptable,” said a TMC spokesperson.
The BJP’s campaign against madrasas in West Bengal and other states has fuelled tensions in an already polarised political landscape. While the party claims that its actions are in the interest of national security, opposition leaders and Muslim scholars see them as a tactic to marginalise the Muslim community and consolidate Hindu votes. With elections on the horizon, the BJP’s narrative on madrasas is likely to remain a contentious issue, drawing strong reactions from both supporters and critics alike.
