Around 20 madrasas and 100 schools and colleges in Mumbai are already benefiting from this initiative
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – The Maharashtra government has announced a grant of ₹10 lakh under the Dr Zakir Hussain Madrasa Modernisation Scheme, aiming to uplift madrasas and minority educational institutions across the state. The scheme for the 2025–26 session invites applications until 14 November. Officials say around 20 madrasas and 100 schools and colleges in Mumbai are already benefiting from this initiative.
The official circular, issued by Undersecretary Meghna Guru Shinde, explains that the purpose of the scheme is to align minority educational institutions with modern requirements, improve learning environments, and address the educational backwardness of the Muslim community.
According to the notification, the grant can be used for repairs, libraries, laboratories, smart classes, computer and science labs, drinking water, toilets, furniture, and digital infrastructure. Applications are to be submitted to the District Planning Office (Collector’s Office), where verification teams review eligibility before funds are transferred to trustees’ bank accounts. The recipients must later provide proof of proper utilisation, ensuring that every rupee is spent for its intended purpose.
Deputy Education Officer Nisar Khan, who supervises the verification of institutions, said there was no interference from the government in madrasa functioning.
“Our team conducts a detailed investigation before approving any grant,” he told Clarion India. “Education inspectors are present during the process at the collector’s office. There is no problem in accepting grants. The government does not interfere in administrative or religious matters. The only condition is that the money must be used for the items mentioned in the circular and proper records must be submitted.”
He added that institutions that fail to maintain transparency or use funds correctly face strict action. “If the details are incorrect, the grant is stopped. And if an institution misuses it, the amount must be returned. There are examples of such cases. Due to the non-receipt of applications from deserving institutions, a large portion of funds often goes back unused. We want more eligible madrasas to come forward,” Khan said.
The Dr Zakir Hussain Madrasa Adhunikikaran Yojana, named after India’s third President and educationist Dr Zakir Hussain, has been running for several years but is now being revived and strengthened to support modern education among Muslims. The scheme is part of the state’s broader effort to reduce the educational gap between minorities and other communities.
Under this plan, each district has formed committees to identify institutions in need of improvement. Grants are provided not only for madrasas but also for minority-run private schools, colleges, and vocational training centres.
According to the state government, the funds are meant to provide basic facilities, laboratory equipment, computer training, library resources, sports facilities, and inclusive arrangements for differently-abled students.
Educational activist Adeel Akhtar, a Delhi-based scholar who closely monitors madrasa education, urged Muslims to utilise such opportunities rather than staying away due to old fears.
“Generally, we avoid taking government donations, especially for madrasas and schools. However, this hesitation must change,” he said. “Since independence, Muslims have faced economic and social discrimination. If the government offers financial help for education, it should be accepted because this money comes from the people’s taxes, including those paid by Muslims. It is our right, not a favour.”
Akhtar emphasised that instead of rejecting such schemes out of fear of interference, Muslim leaders should engage constructively and ensure accountability within their institutions.
“The madrasa leaders of Maharashtra should act quickly and responsibly,” he said. “Governments do not distribute funds out of generosity. This is public money our money and we must make sure it reaches the right places.
Despite the scheme’s benefits, some madrasa administrators remain cautious. Many fear that accepting government grants might eventually compromise the independence of religious education.
In Mumbai’s Kurla area, Maulana Shabbir Ahmed, who manages a small madrasa with over 200 students, expressed mixed feelings. “There is always a fear that if we take government money today, they may later try to control our syllabus or management,” he said. “At the same time, our buildings are in bad condition, and our teachers are paid very little. We need help, but we don’t want to lose our freedom.”
Others, however, view the scheme as a positive step towards bridging the gap between traditional and modern education. “Our madrasa now has a small computer lab, thanks to the grant we received last year,” said Mohammad Saad, an administrator at a madrasa in Mumbra. “It has changed how our students learn. They can now type, research, and even use online Qur’an resources. We follow our faith and also prepare our children for the modern world.”
The contrast of opinions reflects a broader debate within India’s Muslim community between preserving identity and adapting to new realities. While one side worries about interference, the other stresses the need for progress and opportunity.
The scheme’s namesake, Dr Zakir Hussain, was a pioneer in education who believed that modern knowledge and religious learning must go hand in hand. His vision resonates deeply with the scheme’s objectives to modernise madrasas without changing their spiritual core.
Educationist Dr Saba Rahman explained, “Dr Zakir Hussain was one of India’s finest educationists. He wanted Muslims to lead in both modern sciences and moral learning. The scheme that bears his name is a tribute to that ideal it helps madrasas meet today’s educational needs while keeping faith intact.”
She added that Muslim educational backwardness has been used politically to question the community’s progress, and schemes like this could empower new generations if implemented fairly. “We should not view every government move with suspicion,” she said. “We must participate, demand transparency, and make sure funds reach the right places.
Over the years, several government schemes aimed at minorities have failed to reach their intended beneficiaries due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness. In some cases, mistrust between the state and the community has made implementation difficult.
Education Officer Nisar Khan admitted that many institutions miss out simply because they do not apply. “Every year, we have funds left unused,” he said. “Some madrasa heads assume there will be interference or too much paperwork. But the process is simple, and our teams are ready to help.”
In 2024, only 60 percent of the allocated funds under this scheme were disbursed in Maharashtra, largely due to incomplete applications and missing documents. Officials now say they are taking steps to simplify procedures and encourage more participation.
At the heart of the issue lies a trust deficit a result of decades of neglect, political bias, and targeted propaganda against Muslims. Many Muslim leaders argue that Muslim-run institutions have long been denied adequate funding, even though the community contributes equally to the nation’s taxes.
Community leader Abdul Rashid Qureshi, who runs an Urdu school in Byculla, expressed frustration over the unequal treatment. “When Hindu temples or gurukuls receive government grants, no one questions it,” he said.
“But when a madrasa receives a small amount, it becomes a controversy. Muslims are citizens of India. They pay taxes. They deserve their share of development funds.”
He added that the real threat to Muslim institutions is not government assistance but communal prejudice that often colours policy decisions. “What needs to be exposed is not the Muslim madrasas but the mindset that views Muslim progress as a threat,” Qureshi said. “The government should treat us as equal partners in nation-building, not as suspects.
Experts believe that a transparent system of applying for and using grants can protect madrasas from both exploitation and misunderstanding. Social workers and educators in Mumbai have started workshops to guide madrasa trustees in filling forms and maintaining records.
Activist Sameena Farooq, who runs an NGO supporting minority education, said, “Most madrasa managers are not familiar with the online system. They need help with documentation. We are trying to bridge that gap. Once they learn to handle paperwork properly, they won’t have to depend on middlemen or fear government officers.”
She further noted that media coverage often ignores the positive work being done in Muslim institutions. “Whenever Muslims try to improve their education, some groups spread rumours or attack them politically. Instead of helping, they create fear. We need fair reporting and support from civil society,” she said.
With the November 14 deadline approaching, education officials in Mumbai are urging all eligible institutions to apply without delay. The grant, they say, could transform infrastructure and help madrasa students gain access to modern tools of learning without compromising their religious education. Nisar Khan said his department is ready to assist every eligible institution. “We want madrasas to move forward,” he said. “This is an opportunity to combine religious and modern education for the benefit of the community. The government is offering support it’s up to the community to make the best use of it.”
Scholars and educators, while divided in opinion, largely agree that progress cannot come through isolation. Accepting state support, they argue, is not submission but participation in the country’s shared development. The Dr Zakir Hussain Madrasa Modernisation Scheme symbolises both an opportunity and a test an opportunity to uplift Muslim education through legitimate state aid, and a test of the government’s sincerity and the community’s trust.
For many Muslim educators, this is a moment of responsibility. The fear of interference must be weighed against the urgent need for progress. If used honestly and effectively, the ₹10 lakh grant could strengthen the roots of learning among Muslims in Maharashtra a community that has for too long been denied both fair treatment and equal opportunity.
As Delhi scholar Adeel Akhtar reminded, “This is not charity from the government it’s justice for the taxpayers. We should not hesitate to claim what is rightfully ours.”
