Jamiat Ulama to legally challenge decision to convert madrasas into regular schools

Soon after Assam government decided to convert all state-run madrasas and Sanskrit tols (schools) into general institutes in an attempt to make education “secular”, Jamiat Ulama is set legally challenge Assam government's same.

The decision was taken at a four-hour meeting held at the Garigaon madrasa on Tuesday after education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that the word “madrasa” will be removed from government-run madrasas along with theological courses from April 1, 2021. 

The state government will table a bill to this effect during the winter session of the Assembly from December 28.

Hafiz Bashir Ahmed Qasimi, general secretary of the state Jamiat, told The Telegraph that they will challenge the government’s decision if it brings in an ordinance or a new act.

“At the same time we will also request the government to modernise madrasa education instead of shutting them down,” Qasimi said.

The Assam unit of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is an influential organisation of scholars playing a key role in the social and political life of the Muslims as well as the country.

There are 198 high Madrasas in Assam which are run under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), and 542 other Madrasas which are run under the State Madrasa Board.

Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said, Madrasasinstitutions will be renamed by removing the word Madrasas in order to avoid any confusion in higher studies courses regarding the status of the institution.

Madrasas education was introduced in Assam education curriculum in 1934 and the State Madrasa Board was also created then.