New Delhi, June 7: The West Bengal government’s directive to survey madrasahs has sparked reactions from key political figures. Rajiv Rai, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party, and Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, have raised concerns regarding the initiative.
In a conversation, Rajiv Rai questioned the timing of the survey, stating, “When Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was with the TMC, why didn’t he conduct this survey? These individuals are opportunists. They lack vision and ideology. For them, the power seat is everything.”
Regarding the controversy surrounding Khan Sir, Rajiv Rai emphasized the need for a fair investigation, noting, “Khan Sir is a ‘Khan.’ Regardless of the circumstances, an impartial inquiry is essential. This is also about the future of students, which must be considered.” He further criticized the BJP, saying, “While in opposition, Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani would sit on the streets with LPG cylinders, but now they are silent. This BJP government exhibits a dual character.”
Maulana Sajid Rashidi highlighted that there are 614 government-funded madrasahs in West Bengal. He stated, “The government provides them with grants, manages teachers, oversees infrastructure, and monitors the education system. The government has authority and control over these madrasahs. Additionally, there are thousands of madrasahs without any government records.”
Rashidi added, “The government can only order a survey for those madrasahs it funds. For others, it can only issue registration directives. There are two types of madrasahs: government-funded and those operating on zakat. The government cannot intervene in the 2.5% of madrasahs that run on zakat. The government can make changes in government-funded madrasahs but should stay away from those funded by zakat.”
Notably, the West Bengal government has ordered a comprehensive survey to examine the operations, infrastructure, and legal status of madrasahs. An official notification was issued by the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department on June 5. The government has instructed all district magistrates to submit detailed reports by July 5. According to the notification, district administrations are tasked with collecting data on the location, year of establishment, registration details, and the availability of valid documents for madrasahs. Additionally, information on the number of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff is also required.
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