West Bengal Orders Closure of 252 Madrassas After Statewide Survey

The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas after a statewide inspection found that several institutions were operating without the required approvals or adequate infrastructure, officials said.

The government has also issued show cause notices to around 100 other madrassas. Further action will be considered after authorities examine their responses.

Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Kshudiram Tudu said madrassas that have the necessary government approvals will be allowed to continue operating.

The inspection was carried out across districts beginning in early June. Officials examined the institutions’ infrastructure, approval status and management arrangements as part of the exercise.

Tudu said the survey was conducted following directions from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to establish how many madrassas in the state were operating with official authorisation and how many were not.

State Panchayati Raj Minister Dilip Ghosh said the government had received repeated complaints concerning some madrassas.

Ghosh also alleged that, in certain cases, individuals arrested over alleged involvement in extremist activities had been working as teachers at some of these institutions. The allegation was not independently established in the information provided.

He said madrassas operating legally and with government approval would not be affected, but maintained that the government would take action against institutions operating without proper authorisation.

The move has drawn criticism from the opposition. Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the government should not treat all madrassas alike and argued that individual institutions should be assessed on their own circumstances.

The government is expected to review the responses from the madrassas that received show cause notices before deciding on any further action.