Unspecified ‘violations’ by the institution alleged and its activities questioned; MBT sees deliberate attempt to create communal tension
HYDERABAD — In an attempt to create communal tension, a group affiliated with Hindutva outfits staged a sit-in outside a centuries-old seminary named Madrasa Noomania in Hyderabad’s Balapur demanding it be shut down.
The seminary, running for seven years, operates inside the Qutb Shahi-era Masjid-e-Hussaini, a nearly 400-year-old mosque where five daily prayers are held regularly.
The demonstrators gathered near the entrance of the madrasa and raised slogans calling for its closure. They alleged unspecified “violations” by the institution and questioned its activities, media reports quoted eye-witnesses as saying on Tuesday.
The madrasa administrators rejected the allegations as baseless, saying the school operates legally, runs regular religious and basic education classes, and has long served the neighbourhood without any untoward incident. The madrasa’s management clarified that all its students are locals from Telangana, dismissing claims of outsiders being enrolled.
Amjadullah Khan, spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), said the protest was staged deliberately to stir tensions, a The Observer Post report said.
“Communal elements staged a dharna demanding the closure of Madarsa Noomania. This is a 400-year-old Qutb Shahi masjid, and the madrasa has been peacefully functioning here for years. Such actions are meant only to create communal trouble,” Khan is quoted as saying.
Khan further accused the Balapur police of remaining passive during the demonstration, allowing protestors to raise anti-Muslim slogans for nearly two hours.
Community elders appealed for calm, stressing the madrasa’s historic and cultural significance. Legal experts noted that any closure order would require a formal process, including notices, inspections, and an opportunity for the institution to respond.
The madrasa management has reportedly announced it would continue its regular schedule, while also cooperating with any government verification.
District officials indicated that any inspection, if ordered, would focus on documentation, safety norms, and compliance with education and endowment statutes.
