Lucknow: Students of every faith have the right to be educated in state madrasas, Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board chairman Dr Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said.
IANS quoted him, "Madrasas impart modern education in every subject along with religious teaching. If Muslims can get an education in Sanskrit schools and colleges, why can't students of other faiths get educated in madrasas? I do not think one should discriminate between students on account of religion. I have also been a student of Banaras Hindu University."
Javed said, "The madrasas, as an invaluable instrument of traditional education, have played a vital role in spreading literacy among the downtrodden segments of society. Students can be of any faith."
He added that there are madrasas in UP which teach Sanskrit and other languages. These institutions also teach science, mathematics and other subjects, he said.
Javed was responding to a notice sent to the board by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Priyank Kanoongo, the NCPCR chairperson, had sent the letter asking a detailed inquiry of all government-funded/recognised madrasas admitting non-Muslim children. The child rights body sought physical verification of children.
The letter said all such children must be admitted to schools for formal education. It directed to carry out mapping of all unmapped madrasas in state/UTs and admit any/all children into schools for availing formal education immediately.
In the end, the letter demanded a copy of the action taken report (ATR) within 30 days for records and further appropriate necessary action.