Madhya Pradesh Government to Crack Down on Unauthorized Religious Education in Madrasas

The Madhya Pradesh government has issued strict orders to take action against Madrasas imparting religious education to non-Muslim children without proper consent. The order, citing Article 28 (3) of the Indian Constitution, mandates investigations and possible revocation of grants and affiliations if irregularities are found.

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced stringent measures against Madrasas that provide religious education to non-Muslim children without consent, invoking Article 28 (3) of the Indian Constitution. The directive mandates the cessation of government grants and potential legal actions against violating institutions.

School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh confirmed that the state received numerous complaints since February regarding non-consensual religious instruction for Hindu children in Madrasas. As a result, 56 such institutions have already been shut down. Singh emphasized that the New Education Policy (NEP 2020) applies uniformly to all educational bodies.

Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez criticized the government's move, arguing it disrupts communal harmony rather than advancing educational standards. Hafeez questioned the necessity of such actions when government-approved syllabi are already in place. He also highlighted perceived inconsistencies in the state's approach towards religious events in schools.

(With inputs from agencies.)