Lucknow, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : Maulana Yasub Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, has voiced strong criticism of the West Bengal government’s decision to close 252 madrasahs. He also addressed the proposed implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in 21 states and the recent trophy controversy involving the Indian women’s cricket team. Abbas raised concerns about the right to education, arguing that closing educational institutions without considering the impact on students is unjust.
He stated that before shutting down any educational institution, authorities should evaluate the number of students enrolled and the potential effect on their education. If a school operates within legal boundaries and does not engage in unlawful activities, it should not be closed merely due to accreditation issues. He advised those responsible for the madrasahs to seek judicial relief, expressing hope for a favorable outcome.
Abbas pointed out the contradiction in the government’s push for educational advancement while simultaneously shutting down hundreds of madrasahs, which could deprive many students of their right to education. He emphasized that such actions are inconsistent with policies aimed at expanding educational access.
In response to comments from West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh regarding madrasahs, Abbas argued that thousands of such institutions operate across the country. He contended that the actions of a single individual should not tarnish the reputation of an entire educational establishment. He cited Harvard University as an example, stating that the misdeeds of one student cannot reflect poorly on the institution as a whole.
Regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement about implementing the UCC in BJP-ruled states before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Abbas raised concerns. He noted that such declarations do not resonate with all communities and that pressing issues like employment, education, healthcare, and inflation deserve attention. He stressed that these problems cannot be resolved through discussions about the UCC.
Abbas highlighted that for years, topics like triple talaq, UCC, NRC, and CAA have dominated political discourse, but the public is now more focused on fundamental issues such as jobs, education, and inflation. He remarked that citizens are increasingly aware of their rights.
On the controversy surrounding the Indian women’s cricket team, which recently won the Asia Cup by defeating Sri Lanka but refused to accept the trophy from the President of the Asian Cricket Council, Abbas supported their stance. He argued that given the serious political and security disagreements between India and Pakistan, a clear policy regarding cricket relations is necessary. He expressed that if matches continue between the two nations, but there is a refusal to accept trophies, it creates a contradictory situation.
Abbas called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider its cricketing ties with Pakistan. He asserted that if relations are so strained that accepting a trophy from a Pakistani official is unacceptable, then India should refrain from playing matches against Pakistan altogether. He indicated that the women’s team’s position sends a strong message to the men’s team, which had previously made similar decisions regarding trophy acceptance. He concluded by advocating for a uniform and clear policy regarding cricket and other relations with Pakistan.
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