West Bengal Government Orders Closure of 252 Madrassas Amid Infrastructure Concerns

The Suvendu Adhikari government of West Bengal has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas across the state after a survey. It has also sent show-cause notices to 100 other madrassas. The government has taken this action after the report revealed the lack of infrastructure. Tribal and Minority Development Minister Khudiram Tudu said that extensive verification was carried out in all the madrassas of the state through the district administration. Serious irregularities were found regarding the management of the madrassas, student-teachers, infrastructure, and sources of funding. Based on the results of the verification, 252 madrassas have been ordered to close down immediately and refrain from activities in the first phase. On this decision, Muslim cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi said that on closing the madrassas of Bengal, Hindus said that Muslims should stop doing so. They want to tell the Muslims by closing the madrassas that we are against the madrassas. However, these are the madrassas that the government gives grants to. He said, "The percentage of madrassas that are taught in them is less than the government, so they do not have to close down the madrassas