On July 15, an 18-member committee established by West Bengal’s Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department will begin reviewing an ongoing survey to identify unrecognised madrasas in 12 districts across the state. The committee’s task is to assess the current state of these institutions, often referred to as ‘Khariji Madrasahs’, and submit a detailed report to the department by July 21. This development follows a notification issued in early June, directing District Magistrates to provide comprehensive reports on madrasas in their respective districts by July 5. The 12 districts slated for review are Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas. The state government’s decision to conduct a second round of surveys in these districts comes after preliminary reports from District Magistrates revealed a high number of unrecognised madrasas. The committee’s findings will inform the department’s next steps, according to an official from the state secretariat of Nabanna. In May, Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Khudiram Tudu announced plans to crack down on illegally operating madrasas, stating that those involved would face punishment and the institutions would be closed. The state administration aims to ensure that no illegal madrasas emerge in the future.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News