West Bengal orders closure of 252 madrasas, notices 100 more

Amid a three month long survey across West Bengal and multiple ongoing campaigns against Muslim institutions, the West Bengal government has ordered the simultaneous closure of 252 madrasas. Additionally, 100 more madrasas have been issued show cause notices over allegations of lacking necessary approval and various irregularities.

Mr. Khudiram Tudu, the Hindutva oriented BJP government’s Minister for Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education, said the accused institutions will be given an opportunity to respond, but strict legal action will follow if their explanations are unsatisfactory.

According to information provided by officials, the survey was carried out across all 22 districts of the state, examining various aspects of the madrasas’ operations, including their governing committees, teachers, students, physical infrastructure and sources of funding.

The survey data claims that 2,132 madrasas in the state are operating with necessary permission from the government board or appropriate authority, while 2,396 madrasas have been operating without any approval from the designated authority.

The highest number of madrasa closures was ordered in Malda district, with 45 closures, followed by 37 in Uttar Dinajpur, and 25 each in South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia districts. Minister Mr. Khudiram said that beyond these, show cause notices have been sent to 100 madrasas where serious irregularities were found.

The government had earlier stated that the survey was conducted to collect accurate district wise data, plan for education, take child welfare measures and identify any irregularities or illegal activities.

Welcoming the decision to close the madrasas, state BJP president Mr. Shamik Bhattacharya, known for anti Muslim remarks, said this step should have been taken long ago. He expressed concern over the activities of “Khariji madrasas” and blamed the inaction of the then Left government.

Meanwhile, Panchayat Raj Minister Mr. Dilip Ghosh supported the government’s decision, claiming that the madrasas had provided shelter to individuals involved in terrorism and “anti state activities.” He said institutions that follow the rules will remain open, but unregulated madrasas will not be allowed to open.

VHP national spokesperson Mr. Vinod Bansal made a controversial claim, alleging that madrasas and mosques are the main centers of illegal activity in the state. He described them as “anti state bases” and demanded they be shut down entirely.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Mr. Kunal Ghosh sharply criticized this blanket allegation. He said it is wrong to view all madrasas the same way, and also accused the move of being a political attack on the madrasa education system.

TMC spokesperson Mr. Riju Dutta said the party supports action against fake madrasas involved in illegal activities or misappropriation of government funds. However, he warned that if any legitimate or genuine madrasa is issued a notice or shut down solely on the basis of religion, Trinamool Congress will strongly protest it.

Similarly, in Uttarakhand, 20 madrasas have been closed or sealed over allegations of non compliance with rules. The state previously had 452 recognized madrasas, a number that shrank after the board was dissolved. Beyond these, the state government had also sealed more than 200 unregistered or unapproved madrasas.

Notably, since the new government took office, the state’s Chief Minister, Hindutva aligned Mr. Suvendu Adhikari, and several actions and statements by the ruling saffron camp have been criticized by many analysts and rights activists as “anti Muslim.”