The BJP-ruled West Bengal has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas and issued show-cause notices to around 100 others. Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department Minister Kshudiram Tudu said the exercise was initiated on the directions of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to ascertain the number of madrassas across the state. “As many as 252 madrassas have been ordered to close while 100 others have been sent show-cause notices for lacking requisite approvals and basic infrastructure,” Tudu said.

Officials said the seminaries served notices will face further action after their responses are examined. In order to justify the action, State Panchayati Raj Minister Dilip Ghosh claimed that “There have been instances of people carrying out anti-national activities from seminaries. “Madrassas being run in accordance with the law and with government permission will continue to function.

But the government will not allow madrassas to be opened indiscriminately and cause trouble,” Ghosh said. Opposition Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh, however, cautioned against painting all madrassas with the same brush. The latest closures reflect a wider pattern where madrassas are being targeted as a symbol of Muslim identity under BJP and BJP-allied state governments across India.

This is evident from the statements of other Indian politicians and leaders as well. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has said in the past that "We have decided to close all government-run madrassas and convert them into general schools". "Madrassa education is not needed for employment. We want our children to learn science, maths and English," he had said. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)