The issue of illegal madrasa operations in Madhya Pradesh has once again hit the headlines. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the large number of Hindu children enrolled in both legal and illegal madrasas across the state. In this regard, the Commission has issued a notice to the Principal Secretary of the State School Education Department, demanding a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days.
According to a complaint received by the Commission, in Morena district alone, 27 madrasas are running where 556 Hindu children have been admitted and are being imparted education in the Quran and Hadith. The complainant alleged that this is not a small-scale activity but could well be part of an organized religious conversion racket, which requires thorough investigation.
The complaint specifically names several areas of Morena district, including Islampura, Jaura, Porsa, Ambah, Kailaras, and Sabalgarh, where such madrasas are allegedly operating. The key question being raised is: when there are adequate government schools available for Hindu children, why were they admitted to madrasas instead? On what grounds was their enrollment made possible, and where did the administrative monitoring fail?
Violation of Legal Provisions
The matter is considered serious because it directly violates several legal and constitutional provisions. The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 guarantees the protection of children’s rights and their best interests. Similarly, Article 28(3) of the Indian Constitution clearly states that no child attending an educational institution wholly funded by the state shall be compelled to receive religious instruction or participate in religious worship.
Additionally, a Madhya Pradesh government order dated 16 August 2024 explicitly stated that non-Muslim children should not be admitted to madrasas. The admission of a large number of Hindu children to illegal madrasas, in violation of these provisions, is not only contempt of law but also a blatant infringement of children’s rights.
Stern Observation by the NHRC
Taking the matter seriously, the NHRC has directed immediate action. It stated that if the allegations are found true, all Hindu children must be withdrawn from the madrasas immediately, FIRs should be lodged against the operators, and the entire network must be exposed. The Commission further expressed suspicion that foreign funding and anti-national activities could not be ruled out in this matter.
Statement by Priyank Kanoongo
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo emphasized that Article 21(A) of the Constitution guarantees every child the right to education. However, since madrasas do not fall under the category of schools, the question of how Hindu children were enrolled there becomes even more serious. He stressed that education is directly linked to children’s rights, making this a highly sensitive issue that cannot be ignored.
On the other hand, Dr. Nivedita Sharma, former member of the Madhya Pradesh State Child Protection Commission, reacted sharply, stating; “Teaching Hindu children in madrasas is a violation of Article 28(3) of the Constitution. If anyone claims that Hindu children studying there are not being given Islamic instruction, or are not being taught religious texts like the Quran and Hadith, it directly violates the rules of the Madhya Pradesh Madrasa Board.”
Dr. Sharma further pointed out that the very concept of the Madrasa Board was established to integrate Muslim children with both Islamic and modern education. In such a scenario, enrolling Hindu children in madrasas is not only against the rules but also a violation of children’s religious freedom and their fundamental rights.
Questions on Administrative Responsibility
This case also raises serious questions about administrative accountability. When the state government had already issued a clear directive that non-Muslim children cannot be admitted to madrasas, how did 556 children gain admission on such a large scale? Was the local administration unaware of the matter, or did it deliberately choose to turn a blind eye?
Impact on Social Balance and Education
Education experts also warn of deeper implications. Dr. Rajesh Sharma, an NCERT education specialist, observed that the issue is not limited to religious conversion alone but is also connected with social balance and the psychological development of children. Uprooting young children from their religious background and linking them with another faith’s education could affect their identity and self-confidence in the long run. If such practices are occurring in the state, they are undoubtedly harmful to child psychology.
The Road Ahead
All eyes are now on the Madhya Pradesh government and its School Education Department. The NHRC has given a 15-day deadline. If no concrete action and report are presented within this time frame, the matter may escalate to higher levels. This is not merely an educational issue—it is deeply tied to constitutional order, children’s rights, and the broader question of social harmony.
