The state government has taken a big decision regarding madrassas in Madhya Pradesh. The School Education Department has issued an order for physical verification of students studying in madrassas. During this time, if names of non-Muslim or Muslim children are found to be fraudulent or children are being given religious education without the permission of their parents, then the recognition of such madrassas will be cancelled.
On Friday, the School Education Department issued an order saying that for the purpose of getting government grants, the names of many non-Muslim children are fraudulently registered as students in the madrassas of the state. This needs to be verified immediately.
The government has said in its order:
(1) Physical verification of such madrassas which are recognized by Madhya Pradesh Madrassa Board should be done whether the names of non-Muslim or Muslim children are fraudulently registered in such madrassas to get grants from the government. If names of children are found registered, then action should be taken to stop the grant, end recognition and under appropriate penal provisions.
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(2) According to Article 28 (3) of the Indian Constitution, “No person attending any educational institution recognized by the State or receiving aid from State funds shall be entitled to attend any religious instruction given in such institution or No person shall be compelled to attend any religious worship conducted in the institution or in any place attached thereto unless the person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent to do so.
(3) In view of the above constitutional provision, if the children studying in madrassas recognized by the government or aided by state funds are being given religious education contrary to the teachings of their religion without the express consent of them (if they are minors, then their parents) or If people are being forced to take any kind of religious education or attend worship, then all government grants to such madrassas should be stopped. Apart from this, proper action for de-recognition and other appropriate legal action should be ensured.
Talking to Aaj Tak, School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh said that instructions have been given to submit the report of physical verification of students studying in madrassas soon. If along with non-Muslims, names of Muslim children are also registered fraudulently or if children of any religion are being given daily education without the permission of their parents, then strict action will be taken.