The relentless efforts of the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh to address concerns surrounding illegal madrasas have taken a significant stride forward, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) entrusted with probing these institutions has submitted its comprehensive findings to the administration.
The report, a product of meticulous scrutiny and exhaustive investigation, advocates for the closure of approximately 13,000 unauthorised madrasas across the state. Among these flagged institutions, a substantial number are situated in seven districts, notably Bahraich, Shravasti, and Maharajganj, with each border district hosting over 500 of these unauthorised religious schools.
Of particular concern to the SIT is the lack of transparency surrounding the financial operations of these madrasas. Despite being pressed for details regarding income and expenditure, these institutions failed to provide any concrete documentation, raising suspicions of illicit funding sources and potential links to terrorist financing.
Moreover, the investigation has unveiled disturbing revelations of sexual abuse within these madrasas, compounding the urgency of addressing the issue. Additionally, it has emerged that students enrolled in these institutions face difficulties in securing employment opportunities, further underscoring the ramifications of their unauthorised status.
Out of the 23,000 madrasas scrutinised by the SIT, only 5,000 received provisional recognition, highlighting the widespread non-compliance with regulatory standards. Many of these institutions displayed a disconcerting disregard for the requisite criteria for recognition, signalling systemic challenges in the oversight of religious education.
Furthermore, suspicions linger regarding the demographic shifts observed in villages bordering Nepal, as well as incidents of love jihad reported in these areas. OpIndia, through its extensive ground reporting in 2022, brought attention to the prevalence of illegal madrasas and associated socio-political implications, shedding light on a multifaceted issue that continues to demand vigilant scrutiny and decisive action.
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