Kerala Govt’s claim false, if madrassas not closed, will seek other options, says National Child Rights Commission

NEW DELHI: Priyank Kanungo, chairman of the National Child Rights Commission, said that if madrassas are not closed, they will seek other options. He said the decision was taken after years of study regarding the closure of madrassas in the country. Priyank responded that Kerala government's claim that there are no madrassas and they are not providing financial support is false.

Students studying in madrassas should join schools immediately. He said Kerala government's policy is to please the Muslim community and that he is not responding to the allegations of political parties. Many political parties have come out with criticism against the new proposal of the child rights commission.

National League state organizing secretary N K Abdul Aziz responded that the central government's move is communal and discriminatory. The INL issued a statement saying that the destruction of the madrassa system is the agenda of the Sangh Parivar and the Central Child Rights Commission's recommendations are unconstitutional. Samastha also criticized the proposal to stop funding madrassas.

Samastha leader Abdusamad Pookkotur responded that the government is not aiding madrassas in Kerala but provides funds to madrassas in North India. He said the present proposal of the Child Rights Commission is a denial of the rights of children of North India. He added that there is a right to practice religion in India and this is a proposal against this.

The National Commission for Child Rights had written to the chief secretaries of all the states and union territories, demanding that madrassas be stopped. The letter has asked to stop and close madrassa boards and to stop giving aid to madrassas and madrassa boards. The instruction of the Child Rights Commission has pointed out that the method of education in madrassas violates the constitutional rights of children.