The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has escalated its stance against Darul Uloom Deoband, directing Uttar Pradesh police to initiate legal action against the prominent madrasa for purportedly disseminating misleading and objectionable material on its official website.
In an official letter to the District Magistrate and SSP of Saharanpur District, NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanoongo underscored the discovery of additional objectionable content on the website of Darul Uloom Deoband madrasa.
The spotlight fell on a fatwa contained within the website, responding to an inquiry from an individual in Pakistan regarding the permissibility of a suicide attack on non-Muslim forces.
“This underscores the highly alarming nature of such fatwas, posing significant threats to national security,” remarked Kanoongo.
Sharing the screenshot of the question and answer on social media platform X, Kanoongo wrote, “A man sitting in Pakistan asked from a Madrasa in India, Darul Uloom Deoband Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh – “Is it permissible to carry out a suicide attack on any non-Islamic force. The Madrassa of India replied – “Take advice from your local (Pakistani) scholar on this matter.”
Expressing concern over the madrasa’s advice to “consult your local scholar” rather than unequivocally denouncing the query as “invalid and illegal,” Kanoongo highlighted the potential of such statements to legitimise international acts of violence against non-Muslims.
“It is once again highlighted that such fatwas are highly terrorising for the country as well as a matter of national security,” Kanoongo said.
NCPCR chief noted that “such statements are reinforcing the belief towards legitimising international homicide, terrorist attacks among non-Muslims.”
Describing the dissemination of such information as tantamount to abetment, the NCPCR invoked Section 13 (1) (j) of the CPCR Act, 2005, urging local authorities to take punitive action under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 against Darul Uloom Deoband.
The NCPCR’s directive included a demand for the registration of an FIR against the madrasa.
“The commission urges prompt action and requests a detailed report within three days,” the letter emphasized, copying the UP Chief Secretary and the secretary of the State Home Department.
This move follows previous correspondence from the NCPCR to state authorities regarding objectionable content on the madrasa’s official website, further intensifying scrutiny on the institution’s online presence.
Earlier in February, NCPCR directed the Saharanpur police to file an FIR against Darul Uloom Deoband for issuing a fatwa endorsing Ghazwa-e-Hind, an idea which validates the invasion of India.
Additionally, the NCPCR accused Darul Uloom Deoband of instilling anti-India sentiments in children attending its Madrasas, fostering Islamic fundamentalism, and thereby contravening Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Expressing deep concern over the matter, Kanungo said, “At Darul Uloom Deoband, children are being taught how to perform ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind.’ Whoever gives his life for Ghazwa-e-Hind will be called the supreme sacrificer. This organisation operates madrassas throughout South Asia. It is very dangerous to incite children to attack India in this way. In this matter, we have asked the district administration to register a case under sections of treason”.
