Action against madarasas is wrong because the first cry for India’s freedom arose from there

Claim by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Syed Arshad Madani

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) – Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, while addressing the All India Madrasa Security Conference, strongly opposed government action against madrasas. He claimed, “The first government to interfere in madarasa affairs was that of Assam, which compelled us to organise gatherings there. After that, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and now Haryana governments have begun issuing notices to madarasas across places like Panipat.”

He asserted, “We were under slavery for years. If any voice for independence rose during that time, it came from madarasas. So shutting them down now is unjustified. Those who think madarasas are only about reading and teaching books are mistaken.”

Madani further questioned, “Why is the government targeting madarasas that once contributed to the freedom movement ? We have nothing to do with politics.”

However, critics question his selective narrative — why ignore the radicalisation, sexual abuse, and anti-national activities now reportedly linked with some madarasas ?

Editorial Perspective

Even if one accepts that madarasas once raised voices during the freedom struggle, the present reality is different — many now preach jihadi terrorism, incidents of rape of girl students occur within their walls. Why is Madani silent on these facts ?