GUWAJATI: The Assam legislative assembly on Wednesday passed the repeal bill bringing an end to madrassas under the now dissolved madrassa education board which were being funded by the state. All these provincialised and non-provincialised madarasas under the state board will now be converted into general Upper primary, high school and higher secondary school.
Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the passing of the repeal bill as his “gift to Islamic society”.
Replying to a debate on Repeal of the Assam Madrassa Education (Provincialisation ) Act 1995 and the Assam Madrassa Education( Provincialisation of services of employees and re-organisation of Madrassa Educational Institutions) Act 2018 in state assembly Sarma said, “ After 10 years when the converted institutions will produce doctors and engineers those opposing it now will thank the BJP led government. It is our duty to uplift the society which is backward. This is my gift to to Islamic society.”
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Congress staged a walk-out after their demand to send the bill to the select committee was rejected.
Sarma later tweeted, “Glad that the Bill pertaining to repeal of Provincialisation of Madrassas has been passed, even as@INCAssam and @AIUDFOfficial expectedly staged a walkout in Assembly. All Madrassas, being run under government stands converted into regular educational institute wef April 1, 2021.”
Sarma said, “These Madrassa are typical of Assam and West Bengal and were introduced during the days of Warren Hastings. Next time if we get the chance, we plan to introduce Kalam (Pen) in Hafizia Madrassa. Presently it has only theological teaching.”
He added, “It is wrong to say that we are against any community or religion. Muslim community has hugely benefited from the scholarship scheme of the government and today at least 70 percent of patients coming in Guwahati Medical College and Hospital are from Muslim community. These people are hugely benefited from Atal Amrit Abhiyian and Orunodoi scheme. The scheme has been rolled out with 17 lakh odd families as beneficiaries at present as the government would transfer Rs. 830 per month to the account of one of the female members of the family under the scheme.”
Sarma said, “We are not opposed to Islam. We have not done this vote. I do not get votes from those areas (Muslim majority). I do not have vested interest either. Researchers have undertaken a survey in the Madrassas where 83 percent students said that they want general education. I am giving you a word after conversion in two years enrollment in this education institution will increase hugely.”
Asserting that the government will appease none, he said, “Modi government initiated measures to help Muslim women from the triple talaq. It was not done for votes, we did not get a single vote because of this measure. We will have to initiate measures of reform however with love and affection. Opposing fundamentalist does not mean opposing Islam.”