Are Non-Muslim students studying in Madrasas?
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed state governments to investigate whether non-Muslim students are studying in madrassas. Priyank Kanungo, president of NCPCR organization, has written to all state governments and union territory governments in this regard. It said, "There have been various complaints of non-Muslim students studying in government-funded recognized madrassas. Madrassas mainly provide religious education to children. There are three types of madrassas: recognized, unrecognized and clandestine.
It is known that not only religious education but also regular education is imparted in recognized Madrasahs which receive government financial assistance. Some state and union territory governments even provide scholarships to students studying in madrasas.
Children should not be given compulsory religious education without parental consent. It is illegal to do so. Article 28(3) of the Constitution makes this clear. Similarly, the Right to education Act passed in 2009 mandates free education for children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Children have the right to study in nearby schools.
Children should not be given compulsory religious education without parental consent. It is illegal to do so. Article 28(3) of the Constitution makes this clear. Similarly, the Right to education Act passed in 2009 mandates free education for children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Children have the right to study in nearby schools.
The Child Rights Protection Commission Act insists that non-Muslim students study in recognized, state-funded madrassas. Therefore, the State and Union Territory Governments should conduct a direct study in this regard. In addition, if non-Muslim students are found to be studying in these madrasahs, they should be admitted to educational institutions providing general education.