Amid the ongoing survey of madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, the state Madrasa Education Council has issued a new timetable for aided madrasas, as per which classes will begin with prayers followed by the national anthem. Madrasa timings have also been extended to six hours.
In UP, madrasas will now function from 9 am to 3 pm. Earlier, classes were held only up to 2 pm. The new timetable will come into effect from October 1.
Issuing the order, Jagmohan Singh, Registrar of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council, said “Classes in madrasas will commence at 9 am with prayer and the national anthem. The teaching work will continue till 3 pm.”
The madrasas, although have welcomed the decision but have raised objections stating that the new timing does not have a slot for afternoon namaz (1 pm-2 pm).
The move is part of the initiative by the Yogi-led BJP government’s announcement to conduct a survey of madrasas in the state to identify unrecognised ones. It started on September 10 across all 78 districts in UP.
However, the opposition, including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party slammed the state government’s move.
Mayawati, Chief of Bahujan Samaj Party said the ruling dispensation was terrorising the Muslim community with such acts.
While madrasa heads and Muslim leaders in UP have welcomed the survey, amid the polarised political climate, misleading headlines on madrasas and their vilification by the media, some ulama have expressed concern over the motives behind the survey.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
