Allegations of religious conversion through madrasas in Rajasthan have come to the fore, with the spotlight on a case involving a Dalit girl, Sakina, whose father, Lekhraj, is a Hindu laborer. According to Hindu rights group Bajrang Dal and an RTI activist, madrasas in the state are allegedly targeting non-Muslim children, primarily from economically weaker sections, for conversion to Islam under the pretext of offering free education.
Sakina’s Case
The case of Sakina, a Dalit girl from the Bairwa community, has become a flashpoint in this contentious issue. Sakina, whose father Lekhraj is a daily wage laborer, was reportedly admitted to Madrasa Darul Uloom Tehreek-e-Hind in Anantpura, Kota. According to Bajrang Dal, her name was officially registered under the Islamic name ‘Sakina,’ despite her Hindu origins.
The group further claimed that Sakina is one of six Hindu children allegedly converted to Islam at the madrasa. “Her family is poor and unaware of the madrasa’s activities. We suspect that financial help or promises of quality education were used to lure her into this setup,” said Yogesh Renewal of Bajrang Dal. The organisation has called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the matter.
RTI Findings: Over 3,000 Non-Muslim Students in Rajasthan Madrasas
The controversy gained momentum after Rajasthan High Court lawyer Sujit Swami filed an RTI with the Rajasthan Madrasa Board. The findings revealed that 3,056 non-Muslim students, including 1,600 boys and 1,456 girls, are enrolled in madrasas across the state for the 2024-25 academic session. Notably, Kota district, where Sakina resides, recorded the highest number of non-Muslim students—340—followed by Tonk with 308, and Chittorgarh with 213.
The RTI also uncovered an alarming disparity: while thousands of non-Muslim children are studying in these institutions, there are only 261 non-Muslim teachers statewide. In some districts, there are no non-Muslim educators at all, raising concerns about the cultural and educational environment in these madrasas.
Activists allege that the madrasas are exploiting the vulnerabilities of Dalit and poor families by offering financial aid and promises of better education. According to the Bajrang Dal, most of these families are unaware of the religious undertones of the education being imparted.
Yogesh Renewal stated, “This is not an isolated case. Many children from economically backward families are being admitted to madrasas under false pretenses. Financial aid and free education are used as tools to brainwash them into following Islamic traditions.”
The RTI findings highlight a significant underrepresentation of non-Muslim teachers in Rajasthan madrasas. While Kota has the highest number of non-Muslim students, it has only one non-Muslim teacher. Of Rajasthan’s 33 districts, 15 have no non-Muslim female teachers, and 10 districts have only one non-Muslim male teacher. Activists argue that this disparity raises serious concerns about the potential for religious bias in the curriculum.
Lawyer Sujit Swami questioned, “Why are so many non-Muslim children studying in madrasas when government schools are available? Why is there such a glaring lack of non-Muslim teachers? This creates a clear imbalance, potentially leading to indoctrination.”
Adding to the controversy are allegations against Kota District Minority Welfare Officer Naheeda Khan, who has been accused of protecting madrasas from scrutiny. Bajrang Dal pointed to her past social media posts supporting Gaza during the Israel-Palestine conflict, which raised eyebrows. While Khan clarified that her 8-year-old son had made the post, her actions have come under the scanner in light of these allegations.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also raised concerns about the education being provided in madrasas. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanungo previously flagged instances where non-Muslim children were allegedly exposed to Islamic doctrines labeling them as “Mushrik” (idolaters) and “Kafir” (infidels). In one such case in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, a Hindu child was reportedly circumcised at a madrasa.
The Bajrang Dal and RTI activist Sujit Swami have demanded a thorough investigation into these allegations. Swami has urged the state government to scrutinise the operations of madrasas, especially in districts with a high concentration of non-Muslim students.
The issue has also attracted political attention, with activists urging Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa, himself a member of the Bairwa community, and Education Minister Madan Dilawar to intervene. However, no official statements have been made by either leader as of now.
