Madhya Pradesh To Take Strict Action Against Madrasas Imparting Forced Religious Education

The Madhya Pradesh government has issued an order of strict action against Madrasas that are imparting religious education to non-Muslim students without their consent or their guardian’s consent under Article 28 (3) of the Indian Constitution.

The order stated that if children studying in Madrasas affiliated with the state government or aided by the state funds impart religious education that is contrary to their religion, without the consent of the minors or guardians or forced them to receive any form of religious education or attend worship proceedings, will have to face actions. The government grants to such Madrasas should be blocked and the affiliation will also be canceled along with the other appropriate legal action, the government order said.

The Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh said that the order came after receiving multiple complaints in the last few months. The state government has issued an order to investigate the Madrasas running in the state and to take strict actions if any irregularity is found.

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As per the education minister of state in an interview given to ANI, complaints were coming that thousands of Hindu Children were studying in Madrasas and some of the Madarsas were not working properly as they were just taking papers and taking grants from the government. So far 56 Madrasas have been closed in the state upon investigation, Singh said.

The insturctions to investigate clearly comes from the Article 28 (3) of the Constitution of India, Singh said. No student being it Hindu or a Muslim can be forced with imparting religious education of any other religion.

The minister added that under the leadership of CM Mohan Yadav, the education department will not tolerate any kind of irregularity in education system. Schools, private educational institutions or Madrasas, everyone has to follow the New Education Policy, 2020, he said.

However, opposition has targeted the state’s decision and called it a communal attempt by the government.