Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 6

Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat today stirred up a hornet’s nest by urging madrasas in the state not to oppose the government order. The govt had asked these to put up the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Terming the resistance by the madrasa authorities unjustified, Rawat said, “There has been a practice to display the pictures of Prime Minister. They should come out of the rigid mindset. A madrasa is also an educational institution.  It is not proper to oppose the decision of displaying the picture of Prime Minister in the institutions,” said TS Rawat to mediapersons.

On August 18 last year, the BJP government had issued a circular asking all educational institutions to put up pictures of Modi. While most of the educational institutions had displayed the pictures, these were not displayed by the madrasas.  It later emerged in the media that there was opposition to the decision.

However, the madrasas had not adhered to the decision, “Our religion does not permit display of pictures of human beings or animals. So we did not do so. Moreover, the madrasas are part of the mosques,” said Akhlaq Ahmed, Deputy Registrar, Madrasa Board.

Ahmed said none in the government was interested in focusing on the issues affecting the madrasas such as providing furniture and computers so that children are able to study in a proper environment,” he said.

There are around 300 madrasas that are recognised by the Uttarakhand Government and receive assistance by the state and Central Government. After the  BJP government came to power, an announcement was also made about introducing Sanskrit in the madrasas.

Meanwhile, the Congress criticised the Chief Minister for issuing an irresponsibile statement. “They should focus on issues that are affecting the madrasas instead of imposing their decisions,” said Indira Hridayesh, Leader of the Opposition.