GUWAHATI: The Assam assembly on Wednesday passed a 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 will now be converted into general upper primary, high and higher secondary schools.
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 the assembly, Sarma said, “After 10 years, when the converted institutions will produce doctors and engineers, those opposing it now will thank the government. It is our duty to uplift the society which is backward. This is my gift to Islamic society.”
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Congress staged a walkout 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 stand converted into regular educational institute wef April 1, 2021.”
Sarma said, “These madrassas 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. The Muslim community has hugely benefited from the scholarship scheme of the government and today at least 70% of patients coming to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital are Muslims. These people have hugely benefited from Atal Amrit Abhiyian and Orunodoi Scheme. The Orunodoi 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 for votes. 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% students said they want general education. I am giving you a word that after conversion in two years, enrollment in this education institution will increase hugely.”
Asserting that the government will appease none, he said, “The Modi government initiated measures to help Muslim women from 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 reforms with love and affection. Opposing fundamentalists does not mean opposing Islam.”