Yogi Adityanath’s government in Uttar Pradesh has halted grants for new madrasas in the state. According to ANI, the state government accepted the proposal to exclude new madrasas from the grant list in a Cabinet decision on May 17.
The state government allocated Rs 479 crore to the madrasa modernisation scheme in its budget for 2021-22.
According to reports, the state has over 16,000 registered madrasas, of which 558 are aided.
Approximately 20 lakh students are enrolled in madrasas throughout the state. The decision to exclude new madrasas from the grant list comes nearly a week after the state government made national anthem singing mandatory.
Danish Azad Ansari, Minister of State for Minority Affairs in Uttar Pradesh, stated that the state government wants madrassa students to be “full of patriotism.”
He stated that madarsa education is critical for minorities, and that when the national anthem is sung, students learn the values of society. The minister stated that the state government was working to improve madarsa education.
“Madarsa students now study religious scriptures in addition to math, science, and computer,” he explained.
Uttar Pradesh Madrassa Education Board Registrar SN Pandey issued an order making singing of the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ mandatory in all madrassas across the state.
Rakesh Tripathi, a BJP spokesperson, praised the move, saying it will instil a sense of patriotism in all madrasa students.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that cinemas must play the national anthem before showing a film. Those in attendance were also required to stand during the anthem. However, the Supreme Court reversed its order two years later, stating that it was no longer mandatory and that the Center could develop guidelines for this.