India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: In response to the circular issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on October 11, 2024, Syed Tanveer Ahmed, Secretary of the Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB), expressed concerns about the unjust portrayal of ‘madrasas’ (Islamic seminaries) and the baseless recommendations targeting these institutions.
The MTB Secretary, in a statement to media on Monday, said that the circular sent by NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs of India misrepresented the role of madrasas in the education of Muslim children and made several misleading claims.
NCPCR argues that exempting madrasas from the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, deprives children of equal access to quality education but it ignores the fact that only 4% of Muslim students attend madrasas, as highlighted by the Sachar Committee, while 96% are enrolled in mainstream educational institutions.
The NCPCR, Mr Ahmed said, has also ignored the fact that madrasas do not oppose modern education—many already teach Science, Mathematics, Computers, and Languages alongside theology. Major universities across India offer courses in theology and the inclusion of religious studies should not be framed as deprivation.
Regarding NCPCR’s recommendation that state funding of madrasas be stopped because they don’t follow Right to Education (RTE) provisions, the MTB secretary corrected the NCPCR chairman’s misconception that madrasas are government-funded institutions.
“Madrasas are established and managed through the assets and properties of the Muslim community, funded primarily by community donations,” explained Mr Ahmed, adding “The government support is limited to modernization efforts, including the provision of Maths, Science, English, and Computer education, as well as salaries for the teachers of these subjects and providing infrastructure for these purposes only.”
“The claim that madrasas operate as state-funded entities is factually incorrect and misleading,” informed the MTB secretary.
As for the NCPCR recommendation to close down madrasa boards, subject to a Supreme Court ruling, Mr Ahmed pointed out that “the suggestion to shut down madrasa boards is unwarranted harassment.”
He suggested that “just like other educational institutions, madrasas can and should be evaluated impartially.”
“But singling them out creates the impression that this circular is politically motivated,” observed the MTB official.
“Through its latest circular, the NCPCR seems intent on establishing a particular narrative, focusing on madrasas while ignoring pressing child welfare issues like child labour, malnutrition, health concerns, dropouts, and abuse,” Mr. Ahmed commented.
Concerning “the circular proposing removal of non-Muslim children from madrasas and enrolling them in formal schools,” he opined that “this recommendation violates the freedom of choice of students and their parents. If non-Muslim parents willingly choose madrasas for their children’s education, forcing their removal infringes upon their rights and autonomy. Similarly, students from Muslim backgrounds should not be coerced into leaving madrasas if their families value the holistic education they receive there.”
By taking these points collectively in view contained in the circular, the MTB secretary viewed the NCPCR’s circular as “reflecting a communal bias and politically motivated.”
“By selectively targeting madrasas, the report overlooks more pressing child welfare issues under the Commission’s jurisdiction,” the MTB pointed out.
“Madrasas have historically contributed to both the social and educational development of the community and the nation, both before and after independence,” asserted Mr Ahmed, suggesting “Rather than singling out madrasas, the government should adopt an impartial and unbiased evaluation of all educational institutions.”
Mr Ahmed urged the government to reconsider the recommendations of the NCPCR and engage with madrasas through constructive dialogue, instead of promoting divisive narratives that undermine the educational and constitutional rights of minorities.
