An Assamese Muslim organization, Goriya Moriya Desi Jatiya Parishad, has raised concerns about the state of Madrasas in the state with illegal immigrants demanding that these unregistered Madrasas be regulated as well, FirstPost has reported.
“Madrasas, which claim to provide Islamic education to the poor immigrant Muslim population, have mushroomed in big numbers in Assam’s river islands. Many of these madrasas are not even registered with the government and hardly anything is known about the quality and kind of education. The government of Assam should step in to monitor the course being taught there,” said Goriya Moriya Desi Jatiya Parishad working president Nurul Haque as per the report.
Haque asserted that fundamentalism doesn’t necessarily mean terrorist activities but is dangerous just the same. He said, “Religious education is meant to create brotherhood. If fundamentalist groups are getting to control these institutes, then it can cause division in society.” When Haque says ‘immigrant Muslim population’, he is referring to the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Bangladeshi immigrant Muslims in the state’s numerous river islands often share a straining relationship with the local indigenous tribes. Locals often accuse the illegal immigrants of land grabbing and other unlawful activities.
Haque further stated that he had met then Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier and requested him to monitor the activities of the unregulated Madrasas. In 2018, the BJP government in the state passed The Assam Madrasa Education (Provincialisation of Services of Employees and Re-Organisation of Madrasa Educational Institutions) Bill towards achieving that objective. However, Haque claims that it has been ineffective in arresting the growth of unregulated Madrasas in the state.