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The Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind has advised madrasa authorities to cooperate fully with Uttar Pradesh government officials tasked with conducting an upcoming survey of madrasas in the state. The survey had been proposed to get details of unauthorised madrasas in the state.
The survey that began today purportedly aims to ascertain not only the sources of funding, but also aims to take stock of the syllabus taught at such institutions, as the UP government claims it wants to modernise the madrasa curriculum.
According to Amar Ujala, there 16,500 authorised madrasas in UP, of which 558 are aided and 7,442 offer modern education. The total number of students at such madrasas is upwards of 19 lakhs.
The move has been viewed as contentious by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi who has dubbed the survey as the “next NRC” comparing it to the National Register of Citizens. “It’s not a survey, but a mini-NRC. Some madrasas are under the UP madrassa board. The government cannot interfere with our rights under Article 30. They just want to harass Muslims,” a news agency had quoted him as saying earlier this month.
But the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and even the Darul Uloom, have advised madrasa authorities not to oppose the survey. On Sunday, Maulana Arshad Madani, the president of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind chaired a conference of the principals and managers of prominent madrasas. The Times of India quoted him as saying, “There is nothing hidden… Doors of madrassas are always open for everyone. We’ve been asking madrasa directors to support the government’s decision.” He further advised them to “fully cooperate with officials during the government survey of madrasas.”
Similarly, the Darul Uloom too urged all madrasa authorities to make the survey process smooth and said that it had “no objection” to the UP government’s survey. Abul Qasim Nomani, the Darul Uloom Vice Chancellor was quoted by TOI as saying, “We are not opposed to the survey. A detailed manifesto has been issued for madrassas in this regard.” He further advised them to “provide correct and true information to the survey team so that there is no problem later on,” and also “maintain transparency in the financial system and get accounts audited annually.” The Darul Uloom urged, “Keep all the ownership documents of madrassa land and property, the society or trust running the institution in good standing and get the property registered as per legal requirements.”
As per a Jagran report, the survey is expected to be completed by October 15 following which a report will be submitted to the state government. The survey will look into the following 12 elements:
1. Name of the madrasa
2. Name of the organization that is running the madrasa
3. Year of establishment
4. Details of madrasa premises (owned or rented)
5. Details of adequacy of madrasa premises, availability of resources, and structural integrity of madrasa building
6. Number of students
7. Number of teachers
8. Details of curriculum
9. Source of income
10. If students have been enrolled in any additional schools
11. If any non government organization is connected with the madrasa
12. Remarks of the surveyor
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