Guwahati, 2nd Jan: In a surprising turn of events on the first day of 2024, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that as many as 1000 private Madrasas would be urged to shut down.
Despite constitutional protections, Sarma emphasized the collaboration between Assam police and the Education Department to negotiate with Madrasas and potentially reduce their number by a significant margin.
The Chief Minister clarified that private Madrasas, protected by the Indian Constitution, pose a challenge due to exemptions from the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
However, he highlighted concerns about the lack of basic infrastructure in these institutions and asserted that discussions were underway with the Madrasas to address these issues.
In a separate announcement, Sarma revealed plans for a special census focused on the indigenous Muslim population of Assam.
The census, slated for completion by 2024, aims to identify and document the Assamese Muslim community, with a focus on distinct communities and their locations, both in villages and urban areas.
This development follows the Chief Minister’s earlier statement in March 2023, where he expressed determination to close all Madrasas, emphasizing the need for schools, colleges, and universities over religious institutions during a rally in Karnataka’s Belagavi.
Read More: Assam: 2 More Gazetted Officers To Appear Before CID Today In APSC Scam Probe