LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government ordered a probe against madrassas operating without registration or approval. The new order was issued days after a special investigation team was appointed to investigate the foreign funds reaching the madrassas in the state. The madrassas in Muzaffarnagar are under the investigation limits.

It is reported that hundred madrasas were found operating without approval in the district alone. Notices were issued to the managers of the madrassas to submit the necessary documents. Reports said notices have been issued to 12 madrassas to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 per day if they do not close it immediately.

Shubham Shukla, basic shiksha Adhikari of Muzaffarnagar, told the media that the block education officer issued the notice to the madrasas. ‘The minority section of Muzaffarnagar has informed that hundreds of madrassas are functioning without proper approval. They have been asked to register and the procedures for this are not difficult,’ said Shubham Shukla.

Meantime, the UP Board of Madrassa Education Chairman Iftikhar Ahmad Javed said the education department has no right to interfere in Madrassa related issues. ‘Only the minority department has the authority for this. Madrassas are not like ordinary schools. So, the rules for schools, fines etc do not apply to madrassas. In 1995, madrassas were separated from the rules and regulations of schools,' Iftikhar Ahmad Javed clarified.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind Uttar Pradesh secretary Qari Zakir Husain blamed that the notices were issued to madrassas in Muzaffarnagar targeting certain sections. The notice was given to submit documents within three to five days. If failed to do so, will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 per day. Qari Zakir asked how it is possible to submit the documents in such a short period of time.