The breakdown includes 107 madrasas in Nanpara tehsil, 106 in Bahraich, 105 in Kaiserganj, and 71 in Payagpur
BAHRAICH – In the continued crackdown on madrasas in areas along the Indo-Nepal border, authorities sealed another seminary on Monday, claiming that it was operating illegally. The crackdown has already affected nine institutions in the district.
The sealed madrasa, Jamia Gulshan-e-Raza Habibul Ulum, located in Balai village in the Motipur area, has allegedly been operating on the land of a playground for the past 40 years.
A joint team consisting of the Tehsildar and Minority Welfare Officer executed the sealing of the madrasa, a part of broader efforts to ensure that institutions along the border comply with the law. The authorities claim that the madrasa’s operator has not provided adequate documentation regarding the students enrolled or any details about the madrasa’s funding.
In a statement, the madrasa’s operator, Mehdi Hasan, defended the institution, stating, “When the madrasa was opened, the land belonged to the madrasa. What happened later is not known.” Despite this claim, the administration has raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the madrasa’s operations, including the failure to submit information about the children studying there or its financial backers.
The sealing is part of a larger crackdown targeting what the authorities term “illegal” madrasas along the Indo-Nepal border. Currently, over 500 of the 792 madrasas in the area are claimed to be unregistered. The breakdown includes 107 madrasas in Nanpara tehsil, 106 in Bahraich, 105 in Kaiserganj, and 71 in Payagpur.
The “unregistered” madrasas often serve children from various regions, including Nepal, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. Authorities have highlighted that these madrasas provide students with educational materials, food, and accommodation. However, without proper registration or oversight, their operations remain unchecked, raising concerns over the quality of education and the welfare of students.
The authorities have stated that although they have taken action against nine madrasas, there are still 98 remaining madrasas under investigation. The crackdown is expected to continue, with the administration vowing to eliminate illegal operations and bring transparency to the education system in the region.
