Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Yogi Adityanath government’s attempt to survey madrassa smacks of evil intention said Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, which held a meeting of all madrassa rectors (heads) in Delhi on Tuesday after the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a survey of all the madrassas in the state.
According to India Today, Jamiat’s ‘protect Madrassas’ conference in Delhi witnessed the presence of two hundred madrassa rectors from Uttar Pradesh. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, on Tuesday, said that they will defend Islamic seminaries at all costs. It said that the UP government’s forthcoming survey of madrassas was a malicious attempt to disparage the madrassa education system.
It also announced the opening of a helpline for madrassas that may encounter any issues and constituted a steering committee to look into the matter.
The UP government’s announcement to examine “unrecognised” madrassas prompted Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to call a meeting of madrasa rectors to assess the implications.
More than 200 madrasa representatives, including those from prestigious seminaries, attended the meeting under the banner of “protecting madrassas.”
They denounced the UP government’s attempt to demonise madrassas, saying it is the country’s greatest asset because it was instrumental in the liberation movement and made immeasurable sacrifices.
AIMMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also reportedly attended the meeting.
The Uttar Pradesh government had announced a survey of unrecognised madrassas in the state to gather information about the number of teachers, curriculum and the basic facilities available there, among others.
The 12-point survey questionnaire that would be used by the UP government was discussed at the meeting.
During the meeting of madrassa rectors, Mahmoud Madni, head of the body, said “This government’s behaviour is completely unacceptable. Governments ought to stop this sort of conduct.”
Madrassas played a significant historical role in this nation and have consistently made sacrifices for the country. Even today, madrassas continue to benefit the nation by educating youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds and advancing efforts to achieve national literacy rates of 100 per cent. Madrassa graduates become sincere and patriotic citizens of their nation,” said Madni.
A three-point plan was also accepted following mutual consultation.
1. Madrassa’s internal systems should have any legal flaws fixed as quickly as possible.
2. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind should set up a helpline and have a team ready to assist the madrassas in fixing the paperwork.
3. Madrassas ought to begin offering modern education in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or another format.
In the meeting, Niaz Ahmad Farooqui, a Supreme Court advocate and the secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, gave a crucial presentation on the current attacks on madrassas in many states and solutions to the same.
