The Yogi Adityanath government in UP has asked all state funded Madrasas to register online and geo-tag the location.
Just days after a few Madrasas refused to obey a diktat from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to sing the national anthem on Independence Day, the government struck back ordering all state-funded Madrasas to register online, give details of number of students and teachers, infrastructure and also geo-tag their location.
This, the Yogi government said, was to ensure transparency and accountability in fund utilisation and a sort of audit. Moreover, the salaries of teachers would be directly transferred to their account.
The Yogi government has every right to ask for details of money being spent by State-funded Madrasas. Sources say there are many Madrasas that exist just on paper and are drawing funds from the State Government. The number of students and teachers is also suspect. Hence there may be cases of rampant misuse of funds.
Clerics and Muslims have opposed the move saying why single our Madrasas alone. Why not other State funded schools too?
There is a point here. Bring all state funded schools in the ambit of the new rule. Otherwise this rule will look vindictive. Some see the new rule as a move to check radicalisation of youths in Madrasas.
Picture of Madrasa only for representation.