Madhya Pradesh Government Orders Investigation into Madrasas Teaching Non-Muslim Children
The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a strict order to investigate Madrasas that are teaching religious education to non-Muslim children without their or their guardians’ consent. This action is based on Article 28 (3) of the Indian Constitution.
The order states that if any Madrasa, which is either affiliated with or funded by the state, is found to be imparting religious education against the students’ or their guardians’ will, all government grants to such Madrasas will be stopped, and their affiliation will be canceled. Further legal action will also be taken.
Continuous Complaints
Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh mentioned that the government has been receiving complaints since February and March about Hindu children studying in Madrasas. Some Madrasas were found to exist only on paper while still receiving government grants. As a result, 56 Madrasas have been closed after investigations revealed irregularities.
Singh emphasized that no student, whether Hindu or Muslim, should be forced to receive religious education against their will, as it violates the rules. The education department, under the leadership of CM Mohan Yadav, will ensure that all educational institutions, including Madrasas, follow the New Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the right to education.
Opposition’s View
Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez criticized the state government, accusing it of disturbing communal harmony instead of focusing on improving education. Hafeez argued that the government is creating communal disputes to hide its failures and questioned the necessity of the investigation, given that the Madrasa syllabus is already decided by the government.
Hafeez also pointed out that the government did not seek permission from non-Hindu parents for organizing Guru Purnima in schools and colleges, highlighting a perceived double standard. He concluded that the government’s actions are more about disrupting communal harmony than raising educational standards.
Doubts Revealed
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Madrasas -: Madrasas are educational institutions where children learn about Islam and other subjects. They are similar to schools but focus more on religious teachings.
Non-Muslim -: Non-Muslim refers to people who do not follow the religion of Islam. In India, there are many religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, etc.
Article 28 (3) -: Article 28 (3) is a part of the Indian Constitution. It says that no person attending any educational institution recognized by the state shall be required to take part in any religious instruction without their consent.
Indian Constitution -: The Indian Constitution is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework for the political principles, procedures, and powers of government institutions.
Uday Pratap Singh -: Uday Pratap Singh is the Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He is responsible for overseeing the education system in the state.
Congress -: Congress is a major political party in India. It has been one of the two main parties in Indian politics for many years.
Abbas Hafeez -: Abbas Hafeez is a spokesperson for the Congress party. A spokesperson is someone who speaks on behalf of a group or organization.
Communal harmony -: Communal harmony means people of different religions living together peacefully and respecting each other’s beliefs.
New Education Policy (NEP 2020) -: The New Education Policy (NEP 2020) is a policy introduced by the Indian government to improve the education system. It aims to make education more inclusive, flexible, and holistic.
