West Bengal Orders Closure of 252 Madrassas After Statewide Survey

Kolkata, September 14 : The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas and issued show-cause notices to around 100 others after a statewide survey found several institutions operating without the required approvals and basic infrastructure, officials said.

 

The survey was conducted across all districts from early June to assess the approval status, infrastructure and management systems of madrassas in the state.

 

Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Kshudiram Tudu said madrassas that have the necessary government approvals will continue to function. He said the department took the action after examining the findings of the statewide survey.

 

Around 100 madrassas have been served show-cause notices. Officials said further action will be taken against these institutions after their responses are examined.

 

 

 

Tudu said the exercise was undertaken following directions from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to determine the number of madrassas operating with and without proper authorisation across the state.State Panchayati Raj Minister Dilip Ghosh said the government had received repeated complaints about some madrassas. He also alleged that, in some cases, people arrested for their alleged involvement in extremist activities had been working as teachers at such institutions.

 

 

Ghosh said madrassas operating legally and with government permission would be allowed to continue, but the government would not permit institutions to open without proper authorisation.

 

Meanwhile, opposition Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said all madrassas should not be “painted with the same brush” and opposed treating every institution in the same manner.