UP Govt To Conduct Survey Of ‘Unrecognised Madrasas’; Owaisi Calls It An Attempt To Harrass Muslims

The Uttar Pradesh government has passed an order to conduct a survey of what it calls “unrecognised madrasas” in the state to “gather information about the number of teachers, curriculum, and basic facilities available there, among others.”

Minister of State for Minority Affairs Danish Azad Ansari said the state government will conduct the survey in accordance with the requirement of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in connection with the availability of basic facilities to the madrasa students.

Through the survey, details such as the madrasa’s name and the institution operating it, whether it is running in a private or rented building, the number of students studying there, and information about facilities of drinking water, toilet, furniture and electricity supply will be collected, the minister told PTI.

Slamming the move, Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government was infringing on the rights of Muslims.

“Private madrassas are protected as per Article 30, then why has the UP government ordered the survey? It’s not a survey but a mini-NRC. Some madrasas are under the UP madrasa board. Some are private. Government can’t interfere with our rights under Article 30. They want to harass Muslims,” Owaisi said.

The state will also gather information regarding the number of teachers in the madrasas, their curriculum, source of income and their affiliation with any non-government organisation (NGO).

Notably, a total of 16,461 madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, out of which 560 at present are given government grants. In the past years, new madrasas have not been included in the grant list in the state.

Based on the application of the teachers and non-teaching staff of aided madrassas, Ansari said they can now be transferred with the consent of the managers of the madrasas concerned and the approval of the registrar of the state madrasa education council.

According to the new rules, women employees working in madrasas will also get maternity leave and child care leave, he said.

Meanwhile, Diwan Saheb Zaman, general secretary of Teachers Association Madaris Arabiya, welcoming the UP government’s decision, said these would benefit madrasa teachers and non-teaching staff.