By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 19 Dec: On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state administration is set to launch a verification and investigation drive regarding illegal activities in madrasas. A committee, chaired by the District Magistrates concerned, will be formed to submit a report within a month. The Dhami government has finally taken a serious note of reports regarding a large scale of Madrasas allegedly operating illegally in the state and also of allegations of illegal activities in these Madrasas in Uttarakhand. Sources said that Chief Minister Dhami has instructed officials to conduct a thorough investigation. The committee, led by the District Magistrates, will send its report to the government within a month, covering all aspects. This investigation will also cover documents related to the madrasas, including illegal funding and the children studying there.
Sources claimed that the Chief Minister’s Office has received numerous complaints about madrasas, including reports of illegal activities. In response, the CM has ordered a strict action in this regard. The committees will gather information about the children studying in madrasas, with a special focus on those from outside the state and will also investigate illegal funding and the land and documents related to the madrasas.
IG Law & Order Nilesh Anand Bharane has confirmed that that verification and investigation of Madrasas in the state will be conducted as per the Chief Minister’s orders. Sources meanwhile point out that there is a significant number of unregistered madrasas in Uttarakhand, funded by Islamic institutions. Reports indicate that children from outside states, including Bangladeshi and Rohingya children, are being taught in these madrasas. Following the UP government’s drive against madrasas, operators have turned to Uttarakhand.
The Uttarakhand Madrasa Board has registered 416 madrasas, but sources reveal that about 400 other madrasas are also operating illegally. Questions arise about their funding, the children studying there, and the status of their land and buildings. A few months ago, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had revealed that facilities in registered madrasas do not meet guidelines in this respect. The National Commission had also raised concerns about Hindu children studying in madrasas in Haridwar district and their admission through RTE.
The National Commission had then summoned district officials to Delhi for information on madrasas. The officials however provided details of only the registered madrasas but not regarding unregistered ones. The commission also questioned the presence of 749 Hindu children in madrasas, leading to shifting 576 Hindu children to government schools. However, 176 children still lack placement in government or private schools, unofficial sources claim.
