Madrassas in the state have undergone inspections thrice since 2017, with the current round marking the fourth.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The contentious issue of the relentless inspection of madrassas in Uttar Pradesh has surfaced anew, drawing concern in various quarters. Expressing his concern at the whole process, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education and the All India Teacher’s Association Madarise Arbia has urged the Ministry of Minority Welfare to reconsider the ongoing inspections in the best interest of the students.
The official has penned a letter to Dharam Pal Singh, head of the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department, expressing deep apprehension over the continuous inspection of over 4,000 approved and aided madrassas in the state. He has emphasised that these institutions have undergone inspections three times since 2017, with the current round marking the fourth, and suggested postponement of the inspection until after the ongoing exams.
Highlighting a key concern, the chairman said the Registrar of the Board of Madarsa Education, Dr. Priyanka Othi, recommended the inspections without following the due process. The ongoing inspection process, he said, has greatly increased the workload of madrassa officials. Delaying the inspections would alleviate the suffering of district officers and madrassa organisers across the state, he contended.
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, in his letter, pointed out that inspections are continuing despite a verbal order from Minister Dharam Pal Singh last September. He urged swift action to address the concerns raised by the Board of Madarsa Education.
Furthermore, the chairman noted that all records and information related to madrassas, including details of teachers and employees, are already uploaded on the Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Board’s portal. He questioned the necessity of conducting the inspection for the fourth time and proposed that, if essential, the inspection should be deferred until after the ongoing examinations, scheduled to end on February 13.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the All India Teacher’s Association Madarise Arbia, led by Waheedullah Khan Saidi, met with Minister Dharam Pal Singh and submitted a letter echoing the chairman’s views. Additionally, Raj Bahadur Singh Chandel, Chairman of the UP Legislative Council Question and Reference Committee, wrote to the ministry, recommending the postponement of inspections in the interest of the students.
As the controversy refuses to die down, stakeholders await a response from the ministry and hope for a resolution that prioritises the well-being of the students and the effective functioning of all madrassas in the state.