A recent inspection has unveiled distressing conditions at an illegal madrasa in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, where young girls are reportedly being housed in deplorable circumstances. The madrasa, named Darul Uloom Aisha Siddiqua Lilbanat, has been accused of mistreating children and providing them with inadequate facilities.
Shocking Discovery of Poor Conditions
During a surprise visit by the Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), officials discovered that the madrasa’s facilities are far from acceptable. The inspection revealed that 30 to 35 girls, aged between five and fifteen, are being housed in a single room. The room, equipped with a sparse and cold marble floor, lacked adequate bedding, forcing some children to sleep directly on the floor. One girl, suffering from a high fever, was found lying on the floor. The situation was described as akin to a primitive shelter rather than a place of learning.
Investigation and Administrator Responses
Dr. Nivedita Sharma, a member of the SCPCR, expressed both anger and emotional distress upon witnessing the conditions. She confronted the madrasa administrators, questioning how they could subject young girls to such harsh treatment. The administrators were unable to provide satisfactory answers or justification for the conditions.
Illegal Operation and Lack of Authorisation
The madrasa, which houses over a hundred girls from economically disadvantaged Muslim families, operates without official authorisation. The operators admitted to the SCPCR that they have not received any sanction from the Madhya Pradesh government to run the madrasa. The institution is reportedly linked to the Jamia Islamia Isha’atul Uloom Akkalkuwa in Maharashtra.
Concerns Over Funding and Transparency
Further scrutiny revealed that the madrasa’s funding sources are unclear. Despite numerous requests for information, the operators failed to provide details about the financial support received. The SCPCR suspects that the madrasa might be receiving foreign funding, which the administrators are reluctant to disclose.
Educational and Ethical Issues
In addition to the madrasa, the facility operates a school up to the 10th grade, which was registered in 2012 but only received official accreditation from the Madhya Pradesh Secondary Education Board in 2019. Concerns have been raised about the school operating without proper registration between 2012 and 2018.
Dr. Sharma noted that despite the presence of a school, the children are not receiving modern education. The conditions and management practices at the madrasa bear resemblance to strict Sharia laws and Taliban-like regimes. Surveillance cameras installed in private areas of the madrasa further compound ethical concerns.
Rights Violations and Educational Impact
Dr. Sharma highlighted that many children, who are registered in local or private schools, are not attending them and are instead confined to the madrasa. Among the children, two orphans from the Dhar district were found without registration in any government child welfare schemes.
The report also highlights a violation of the Right to Education Act, which mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14. The madrasa’s focus on Islamic education at the expense of modern education represents a breach of this act. The SCPCR plans to take these issues up with the government to ensure improvements in the conditions and education provided to these children.
Official Response and Further Actions
Efforts to reach the District Education Officer, Krishna Chandra Sharma, and the district madrasa head, Inamur Shaikh, for comments, were unsuccessful as their phones were turned off. The SCPCR remains committed to addressing the serious issues uncovered at the madrasa and ensuring a better future for the affected children.
