Row in Assam over closure of govt-funded madrassas

After dissolving the State Madrassa Education Board in 2018, Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government is going to close down all government-run madrassas in the state. He further stated that public money cannot be allowed to be spent on religious education.

Guwahati:The government's decision to close the madrassas and Sanskrit tols (institutes) in Assam has drawn flakes from different sections.

The move is seen by many as part of a larger conspiracy to pursue the Hindutva agenda of the BJP led government at the state and at the centre.

A fresh controversy erupted after the war of words continued between state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Moulana Badruddin Ajmal over the issue.

The AIUDF chief said that they would restart the madrassa once the party comes to power in Assam.

While the Assam cabinet had in February taken a decision to close the government-run madrassas and Sanskrit tols and convert all such existing institutions to regular schools, controversy erupted after Sarma recently said that the government cannot allow religious education at the cost of state exchequer and that the government will take a decision in this regard.

"Our stand over the issue remains the same. We have discussed this issue in the Assembly and adopted a resolution that there cannot be religious education in government expenditure. We are working on it and the government is likely to take a final decision in this regard by November," said Sarma while talking to media.

Reacting on the Sarma's statement, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said that if his party comes to power then they will take yet another cabinet decision to change this and will restart the madrassa education.

"Let them do whatever they want to do. But please remember that we are coming to power in the coming days then we will change the decision to restart the madrassa education," said Ajmal while addressing a public rally.

It may be mentioned here that there are a total of 614 madrassas in Assam followed by 600 Sanskrit tols. Out of the 614 madrasas, 400 are high madrasa and 112 are Junior High Madrassa. Another 102 are senior Madrassa.

Similarly, there is a total of 600 Sanskrit tols in 32 districts of Assam.

Notably, the government spends about Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore on madrassas in the state and about Rs 1 crore on Sanskrit tols annually.