Halting funding for madrasas move to alienate Muslims: CPI Binoy Viswam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the suggestion to close madrasas will increase Muslim marginalisation. The recommendation by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to halt govt funding for madrasas is part of an agenda to alienate and marginalise Muslims, he added.
The commission is going ahead by following an ideology that declares minority religious groups as enemies of the state. The directive given to state govts on Oct 11 is under the guise of the Child Rights Protection Act 2005.
"History teaches us that fascists worldwide achieve their sinister goals by disguising them under progressive democratic systems," said Viswam.
Across the country, there is a lack of facilities for ordinary children to obtain primary education, both before and after the passing of the Right to Education Act. Therefore, a system emerged where religious educational institutions also provided secular education with govt funding. Today, the NCPCR is misinterpreting this to further communalisation, he said.
Senior Congress functionary Ramesh Chennithala said the NCPCR's recommendation to close madrasas violates the fundamental rights endorsed by the Constitution which grants minorities the right to religious education. The commission is attempting to violate Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, he said.
"Children studying in madrasas also attend regular schools in most states, including Kerala. In this context, demanding formal educational environments in madrasas is impractical. There should be a system to allow those interested in religious education to pursue it alongside formal education. The right to religious education is also guaranteed by the Constitution," Chennithala said.
Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the move against madrasas is dangerous. "Children receive spiritual education from madrasas. Many foolishly say it is religious education. What is taught in Sunday school is not Christianity but the Bible. Anything that needs to be taught should be taught at a young age," he said.
The term ‘religious study class' is incorrect. It should be changed to ‘spiritual study' for all groups, he said.