Allocation of Rs 1 Lakh for madrasas and cuts in minority education schemes raise questions about the government’s commitment to inclusive development
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The Union Budget for 2025-26 has drawn sharp criticism from educationists, community leaders, and opposition parties for its apparent neglect of Muslim educational institutions, particularly madrasas, which have been allocated a meagre Rs 1 lakh for their development. This stagnation in funding has reignited concerns about the Narendra Modi government’s approach to minority education and its commitment to addressing the educational needs of marginalised communities.
While the overall budget for the Ministry of Minority Affairs saw an increase of Rs 166 crore, rising to Rs 3,350 crore, the allocation for madrasas remained unchanged at a negligible Rs 1 lakh. This comes after a steep reduction from Rs 2 crore in the 2024-25 budget, which was later revised to the same amount. Critics argue that this reflects a systematic marginalisation of traditional Islamic institutions that play a crucial role in educating thousands of economically disadvantaged Muslim students.
Maulana Arshad Qasmi, an Islamic scholar and educationist, expressed his dismay: “By ignoring madrasas in the budget, the government is sending a clear message that it does not consider these institutions part of the mainstream educational system. This will push thousands of children into uncertainty and deprive them of opportunities.”
The budget earmarks Rs 678.03 crore for the educational empowerment of minority students, a significant drop from Rs 1,575.72 crore allocated in the previous financial year. This reduction affects several critical schemes, including:
• Pre-matric and Post-matric Scholarships: These scholarships, which supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds, have seen substantial budgetary cuts.
• Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): Once a vital financial aid programme for Muslim research scholars, this scheme has faced severe fund cuts in recent years.
• Free Coaching and Interest Subsidies on Education Loans: Programmes designed to help minority students access quality education have been weakened due to fund shortages.
Dr Shakeel Ahmed, an education policy analyst, lamented the cuts: “Reducing funds for education is the most damaging policy decision any government can make. It restricts opportunities for the next generation, particularly for minorities who already face systemic barriers in accessing quality education.”
Despite the cuts in educational assistance, the overall allocation to the Ministry of Minority Affairs has increased. Notably, financial assistance to states for minority development has risen from Rs 527.12 crore to Rs 1,518.31 crore. However, the allocation for Union Territories has been slashed by Rs 30.06 crore.
Similarly, the budget for central sector schemes, which include skill development, special minority programmes, and the Prime Minister’s Inheritance Ka Samwardhan (PM-VIKAS) scheme, has also seen a sharp reduction from Rs 2,120.72 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 1,237.32 crore in the current financial year.
Social activist Jameel Ansari criticised the government’s priorities: “While the government claims to prioritise minority welfare, the figures tell a different story. They have shifted funds from education and skill development to general schemes that often fail to reach the grassroots level.”
Education experts argue that the cut in madrasa funding is part of a broader effort to marginalise traditional Islamic institutions. They point out that while the government continues to promote initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’ and indigenous knowledge systems, madrasas, which have historically played a role in the knowledge economy, are being systematically defunded.
Maulana Rashid Khan, a senior cleric from Uttar Pradesh, stated: “The government’s message is clear: it does not value the role of madrasas in education. This could be part of an attempt to weaken the educational foundation of Muslims in India.”
Defending the budget allocations, a senior official from the Minority Affairs Ministry stated: “Our focus is on holistic minority welfare, and funds have been directed to areas that will create long-term benefits.”
However, opposition leaders have strongly criticised the budget, calling it “discriminatory” and “anti-minority.” Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad, lambasted the government: “This budget proves that the BJP government is systematically ignoring Muslim education. They have no interest in the upliftment of our community.”
Congress leader Salman Khurshid echoed these sentiments: “By keeping the madrasa budget at Rs 1 lakh, the Modi government is making a mockery of Muslim education. This is an insult to the entire community.”
Prominent human rights activist Dr Zafarul Islam Khan highlighted the broader implications of the budget: “Muslims are as much citizens of India as anyone else. They have contributed immensely to making India beautiful — culturally, socially, and intellectually. Ignoring such a large population and their educational concerns is nothing short of racism.”
Journalist and political analyst Farah Naqvi added: “The government’s apathy towards Muslim education proves that they are not interested in solving the real problems faced by minorities. This budget is a stark reflection of how the BJP views India’s second-largest community.”
Senior cleric Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani condemned the budget: “This is an outright attack on our future. The government is deliberately pushing Muslims to the margins by denying them access to quality education. If education is weakened, the whole community suffers.”
The budget has also drawn criticism from civil society groups and academics who argue that the BJP government’s policies are increasingly exclusionary. Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, founder of the Zakat Foundation of India, stated: “The BJP government’s approach towards Muslims is not just neglectful; it is discriminatory. Muslims are an integral part of India’s fabric, and their contributions to the nation’s progress cannot be ignored. This budget reflects a deep-seated bias that undermines the principles of equality and justice.”
Activist and author Harsh Mander echoed these sentiments: “The government’s refusal to allocate adequate funds for madrasas and minority education is a clear indication of its indifference towards the Muslim community. It is a form of institutionalised racism that denies Muslims their rightful place in the nation’s development narrative.”
The budget has sparked a broader debate about the role of Muslims in India’s development. Historian and scholar Dr. Abrar Ahmad remarked: “Muslims have played a significant role in shaping India’s history, culture, and economy. From the freedom struggle to the arts, sciences, and literature, their contributions are undeniable. To ignore their educational needs is to deny their rightful place as equal citizens of this country.”
Social activist Shabnam Hashmi added: “The government’s policies are not just about neglect; they are about erasure. By defunding madrasas and cutting scholarships, the BJP is trying to erase the Muslim community’s presence from the educational landscape. This is not just unfair; it is unconstitutional.”
The 2025-26 Union Budget’s neglect of madrasas and cuts in minority education schemes have raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to inclusive development. With scholarships, fellowships, and skill development programmes suffering funding cuts, the future of thousands of Muslim students hangs in the balance.
While the government claims to focus on minority welfare, the stagnation in madrasa funding and cuts in educational schemes paint a different picture. The question remains: Is this budget truly about empowerment, or is it a reflection of a deeper ideological bias against institutions that have long served the Muslim community?
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the allocation of Rs 1 lakh for madrasas has become a symbol of the growing divide between the government and India’s minority communities. The budget’s neglect of Muslims is not just an economic issue; it is a moral and constitutional one that challenges the very idea of India as a diverse and inclusive nation.
Muslims are not just a statistic; they are citizens who have contributed to the beauty and richness of India. Ignoring their problems is not just a failure of governance; it is a failure of humanity. The government must reconsider its priorities and ensure that every citizen, regardless of their religion, has access to the opportunities they deserve.