Former Central Waqf Council Member Opposes Madrasa Survey in Gujarat
New Delhi: A former member of the Central Waqf Council and a Gujarat High Court advocate has raised objections to the survey of madrasas in the BJP-ruled Gujarat state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a recent letter addressed to BJP Chief Minister Bhupinderbhai Patel and the Chief Secretary, Advocate Iqbal Shaikh has questioned the necessity of conducting a survey when Gujarat lacks a Madrasa Education Board and does not provide financial assistance to madrasas.
Advocate Iqbal Shaikh questions the need for a survey in the absence of the state government’s assistance to the madrasas.
Former member of the Central Waqf Council Advocate Iqbal Shaik said the Department of Education circular regarding the survey referenced a statement from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, indicating a need to survey “non-Muslims” studying in government-aided/recognised madrasas in the state. However, Shaikh emphasised that Gujarat does not have a system akin to other states where government grants are allocated to madrasas.
“In Gujarat, there is no Madrasa Board, and there is no provision for government grants to madrasas. While states like UP, Rajasthan, Assam, and Bihar have such systems in place, Gujarat does not,” he said.
Shaikh termed the survey of madrasas in Gujarat as unnecessary, given the absence of governmental support for these educational institutions.
Shaikh’s objection to the madrasa survey underscores concerns regarding the lack of infrastructure and financial assistance for madrasas in Gujarat, raising questions about the rationale behind conducting such surveys in the absence of supportive mechanisms.
