MP: Home Minister Narottam Mishra Calls For Scrutinising 'Objectionable' Content Taught In Madrassas

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Sunday said that alleged objectionable content being taught in some madrassas in the state will be scrutinised.

The issue of objectionable content being taught in some madrassas has been brought to his attention, Mishra, who is state government spokesman, told reporters while replying to a question. 

Allegations of 'objectionable content'

"I have just seen it (the alleged objectionable content) at a cursory glance...We will ask the district collector to get such study material of madrassas scrutinised from the education department to avoid such unpleasant situations," Mishra said. However, he didn't specify which madrassas he was talking about.

Also Read | Who Is Narottam Mishra, Why Does He Spark Controversy?

Some sections have raised question marks over certain content being taught in madrassas at a few places in the state.  In August this year, Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Usha Thakur had said illegally-run madrassas may be used for human trafficking and a probe must be carried out against such facilities.

Allegations of human trafficking

"The office-bearers of the children's commission recently carried out surprise inspections of such illegally-run madrassas. They found that 30-40 children were kept without a healthy environment. There was an insufficient arrangement for food. I fear it may be a case of human trafficking," Thakur had alleged.

Not the first time BJP-led states are scrutinising madrassas

The BJP government has in recent times hit the headlines for its controversial moves on madrassa education. Last month, the central government closed the window for students from Class 1 to Class 5 to apply for scholarships citing provisions of free education under the Right to Education act. Earlier, the students from class 1 to 5 used to receive Rs. 1000 scholarship and the students from class 5 to 8 used to get it on the basis of the courses they take. These scholarships are perceived as an incentive for the poor people to join Madrassas.

This move of the central government came within just three months of the UP government’s controversial decision to conduct a survey of Madrassas. Following allegations of regular abuses suffered by students in madrassas, the BJP ruled state initiated a survey to look into several aspects like the infrastructures, water facilities, furniture, student-teacher ratio and so on, but the major point of enquiry for the government was question no. 9 – where does from the funding come? 

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had termed the survey a ‘nefarious attempt’ and said that it was an effort to enhance strife between Hindus and Muslims. AIMIM chief and renowned Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi called it a ‘Mini-NRC’ and said, “The government cannot interfere with our rights under Article 30. They just want to harass Muslims.”

(With inputs from PTI)