Maharashtra Madrasa row: Abu Azmi vows to fight against any interference in operations of madrasas

Reacting to Maharashtra government's decision to call Madrasas that don't teach primary subject as 'non-schools', Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi urged the Shiv Sena and BJP to desist from disturbing peace in the society.

The Maharashtra state president for Samajwadi Party said, "Any interference in operations of madarsas will be fought tooth and nail. The Samajwadi Party will fight for the society including muslims. I urge BJP and Shiv Sena combined to desist from disturbing peace that prevails."

Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde said that wanting to bring Maths and Science in the syllabus at Madrasas should not be termed 'anti-muslims'.

"We want to bring subjects like Science, Social Science and Maths to the madrasas with no interference in their religious education. How is that anti-Muslim? We want to do this for their betterment. Under the Right To Education, children who aren't taught under National School Curriculum are considered out of school."

In a controversial move, the BJP government in Maharashtra on Thursday decided to de-recognise Madrasas which give students education only on religion without imparting formal education like teaching English, Maths and Science subjects.

The registered Madrasas not teaching primary subjects will be classified by the state government as "non-schools" and children studying in them will be considered "out of school" students.

The move has raised the hackles of Muslim leaders as well as the opposition parties in the state.

"Madrasas are giving students education on religion and not giving them formal education. Our Constitution says every child has the right to take formal education, which madrasas do not provide," State Minorities Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse told PTI.

"If a Hindu or Christian child wants to study in a Madrasa, they will not be allowed to study there. Thus, Madrasa is not a school but a source of religious education. Thus we have asked them to teach students other subjects as well. Otherwise these Madrasas will be considered as non- schools," Khadse said.