• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. West Bengal government orders closure of 252 madrassas statewide.
  2. 100 madrassas issued show-cause notices for lacking approvals.
  3. Survey revealed poor infrastructure and approval status issues.

Bengal: The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas and issued show-cause notices to around 100 others after a statewide survey revealed that these institutions lacked basic infrastructure and necessary approvals.

Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department Minister Kshudiram Tudu confirmed that madrassas with necessary approvals will continue to operate normally.

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Survey Of Madrassas In West Bengal

The Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department launched a comprehensive field-level survey across all districts of West Bengal to assess the physical infrastructure, approval status, and overall management of both government and private madrassas. The statewide audit was initiated in early June following directions from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to ascertain the exact number of authorised and unauthorised seminaries operating across the state.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Tudu said, "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."

Officials said that further action will be taken after examining their responses to the notices.

Action Against Madrassas Triggers Debate

The action against madrassas has triggered a political debate across the state.

State Panchayati Raj Minister Dilip Ghosh said there had been several controversies surrounding seminaries and claimed that individuals arrested for alleged involvement in extremist activities were found working as teachers in some of these institutions.

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"Complaints against madrassas had repeatedly been received. There have been instances of people carrying out anti-national activities from seminaries," Ghosh said.

He further added, "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."

Meanwhile, opposition Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh stated that all madrassas should not be painted with the same brush.

(With Inputs From PTI)


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