More Hindus than Muslims in West Bengal Madrassas !

[BanglaBhoot]

By Sreya Basu

Jan 20, 2009

Kolkata

Contrary to popular belief that madrassas are schools for fundamentalist Islamic teaching, madrassas in West Bengal are attracting an increasing number of Hindu students with their shift in focus from Islamist education to science and technology.

Hindu students now outnumber Muslims in four madrassas of the state.

These include Kasba MM High Madrassa in Uttar Dinajpur district, Ekmukha Safiabad High Madrassa in Cooch Behar district, Orgram Chatuspalli High Madrassa at Burdwan district and Chandrakona Islamia High Madrassa at West Midnapore district.

"The percentage of Hindu students vary from 57 percent to 64 percent in these institutes, which stand out as proof that madrassas (Islamic seminaries) and secularism are not anachronistic," West Bengal Board of Madrassah Education president Sohrab Hussain told IANS.

He said 618 out of the 1,077 students in Kasba, 554 out of 868 students at Orgram, 201 out of 312 at Chandrakona and 290 out of total 480 students at Ekmukha are Hindus.

Denying that madrassas impart only Islamist education, he said the institutes lay more stress on modern subjects.

"It's a misconception that our students only learn Islam-related subjects at madrassas. Time is changing and so are we. Now, we lay more stress on science and technology than religion.

"Already 42 madrassas have computer laboratories; we will increase the number by another 100 labs in 2009. Over 100 madrassas offer vocational training in not only tailoring but even mobile applications technology," Hussain said.

He said an increasing number of Hindu students were choosing madrassas over other schools because they had more credibility.

"Madrassas have been successful in winning the confidence of students and guardians. Mostly first generation learners from backward classes come to study here as they know they won't be looked down upon. Besides, madrassa certificates are at par with other national-level examinations," said Hussain.

There are 506 madrassas in West Bengal and 52 more will come up by the end of 2009. Overall, 17 percent of the students and 11 percent of the teachers in these institutions are non-Muslims.

"All students are treated equally... there is no religious bias in the madrassas. Even the syllabus of the madrassas are no different from the Madhyamik - the state secondary examinations.

"The only difference is our students have to sit for a 100-mark extra paper on Arabic and Islamic studies, which in a way is good for Hindu students too. They can learn a new language at the same time," Hussain said.

Golum Mustafa, headmaster of Kasba madrassa, said all students study and play together irrespective of their religion.

"If anyone asks me why Hindu students study at madrassas, I ask them, 'Why not?' Be it school or madrassa - they are meant for imparting education. There are many Hindu students who passed out from Kasba and are well-established in life," Mustafa said on phone.

Bibhas Chandra Ghorui, a Hindu assistant teacher at Chandrakona, echoed Mustafa.

"There are seven schools within one km of this madrassa. But still people send their wards here, mostly because of affordability. One has to pay Rs.375 at general schools while the fees at the madrassa is only Rs.110.

"As for religious tolerance, if a Muslim student can study Baishnav Padavali - a Hindu religious hymns - then why can't a Hindu student study Islam or Arabic?" Ghorui said on phone.

More Hindus than Muslims in West Bengal Madrassas !

 

[Jako]

This is just great......this would probably lower the misconception bout the madrassas in this part of the world......i was actually very happy to see modern subjects being taught at the madrassas and so many computer labs present and planned for the madrassas........this is i feel another example of the beautifull communalism free secular culture of the bengalis......we are actually setting an example infront of others how to coexist peacefully.....bengalis care and respect each other....we dont screw each other for stubid religion based bias.....cheers

 

[sob]

Denying that madrassas impart only Islamist education, he said the institutes lay more stress on modern subjects.

"It's a misconception that our students only learn Islam-related subjects at madrassas. Time is changing and so are we. Now, we lay more stress on science and technology than religion.

"Already 42 madrassas have computer laboratories; we will increase the number by another 100 labs in 2009. Over 100 madrassas offer vocational training in not only tailoring but even mobile applications technology," Hussain said.

This is the way to go forward for the nation. We need to replicate this model in all other Madrassas in other parts of the country.

 

[third eye]

This seems a good thing, the essence of education is to seperate religion from it, in delhi too DAV ( dayanand anglo vedic ) schools have a large % of muslim students while jamila milia Islamia Univ has a good No of Hindu students.

 

[Screaming Skull]

I don't know if the Pakistani members here are aware that the GoI is going to make the madrasas in India equivalent to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). CBSE schools and syllabus are the most reputed, the largest and most sought after in the country. CBSE certificates are accepted by all the schools and colleges at home and abroad.

Here is the article:

Madrasa certificates will now be CBSE equivalent​

Dec 30, 2008

New Delhi:

In a move that goes a long way in mainstreaming Madrasa students across the country and help clear their way to higher education, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry is all set to grant madrasa certificates equivalence to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

A key recommendation of the Sachar committee — and also on the PM’s 15-point programme for minorities — a special panel set up by the Ministry recently recommended that in states where madrasa certificates are recognized as equivalent to secondary and senior secondary level, these should also be granted equivalence by the CBSE.

The notification is expected soon and will benefit some 7000 madrasas and 3.5 lakh students in seven states that have madrasa boards: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam and West Bengal. This will also apply to madrasa certificates already issued.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/madrasa-certificates-will-now-be-cbse-equivalent/404478/

 

[Contrarian]

Excellent. The religious content taught in Madrassa's must be regulated.

 

[Halaku Khan]

Actually in India, Hindus are not allowed to run their own institutions, whereas taxpayers are forced to foot the bill to subsidize Madrassas and send Muslims for Haj trips.

Ramakrishna Mission in West Bengal is desperately trying to get itself declared as a minority institution to save itself from interference from the Communist government. But they are being kicked from pillar to post.

Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, donations given to the Tirupati temple are stolen by the Congress government and used to fund Churches and Madrassas.

 

[chindit]

Its a Hindu conspiracy to flood the madrassahs and make them non-islamic

 

[Jako]

Its a Hindu conspiracy to flood the madrassahs and make them non-islamic

have you gone nuts?? Some kids going for education,making madrassas unislamic?? Btw,the heads of the madrassas obliged to take hindu students.....so where from did you make this foolish comment??

 

[Jako]

Actually in India, Hindus are not allowed to run their own institutions, whereas taxpayers are forced to foot the bill to subsidize Madrassas and send Muslims for Haj trips.

Ramakrishna Mission in West Bengal is desperately trying to get itself declared as a minority institution to save itself from interference from the Communist government. But they are being kicked from pillar to post.

Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, donations given to the Tirupati temple are stolen by the Congress government and used to fund Churches and Madrassas.

baseless and absurd comments......do you know what ramkrishna mission is?? What it is most famous for?? Do you know anything about the communists of bengal?? Let me answer you.....ramkrishna mission is famous for its educational facility,and a very good one....they have numerous branches spread in bengal and also other states....they have produced gems for india since they were born.......what iit is for wannabe engineers the mission schools and colleges are for all bengalis.........and we are proud of them......the present communist govt wd never distort this image,and for your knowledge many communists in bengal are ex-ramkrisna mission,and also try for their children and relatives to get in it.......thnx

 

[Nemesis]

Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, donations given to the Tirupati temple are stolen by the Congress government and used to fund Churches and Madrassas.

Hmm, someone's being brainwashed by RSS ideology i see.

Actually in India, Hindus are not allowed to run their own institutions, whereas taxpayers are forced to foot the bill to subsidize Madrassas and send Muslims for Haj trips.

Jako lives in Bengal so he's already answered you on the question of ramkrishna mission.

However, as far as Hindus not being allowed to run their own education, know anything about Akshardham temple trust? Or the D.A.V?

Do you know how the famous Akshardham temple in Delhi was built? I used to live ten minutes from the place so i should know. The Government in Power, gave the entire land to the trust for guess what? One Rupee!!! One freaking rupee. So yeah, Hindus are definitely discriminated is pseudo secular India.

 

[Halaku Khan]

Are you denying that Ramakrishna mission as been trying to get itself classified as a minority institution?

baseless and absurd comments......do you know what ramkrishna mission is?? What it is most famous for?? Do you know anything about the communists of bengal?? Let me answer you.....ramkrishna mission is famous for its educational facility,and a very good one....they have numerous branches spread in bengal and also other states....they have produced gems for india since they were born.......what iit is for wannabe engineers the mission schools and colleges are for all bengalis.........and we are proud of them......the present communist govt wd never distort this image,and for your knowledge many communists in bengal are ex-ramkrisna mission,and also try for their children and relatives to get in it.......thnx

 

[Jako]

Are you denying that Ramakrishna mission as been trying to get itself classified as a minority institution?

it wd be really nice if you provide some links ,sir......but as of the communists interference and kicking stuff,thats a lie,i am sure bout that..........the RM is a respected institution in bengal,you know.......i tell this as i live in bengal and have many friends and relatives who studied there.......

 

[Halaku Khan]

I can defend, with proofs, each statement that I have made. But this board may not be the most appropriate place for doing so. However, as regards the tribulations of Ramakrishna Mission, see

LINK

it wd be really nice if you provide some links ,sir......but as of the communists interference and kicking stuff,thats a lie,i am sure bout that..........the RM is a respected institution in bengal,you know.......i tell this as i live in bengal and have many friends and relatives who studied there.......

 

[EjazR]

I can defend, with proofs, each statement that I have made. But this board may not be the most appropriate place for doing so. However, as regards the tribulations of Ramakrishna Mission, see

LINK

The fact that the article was written by JG Arora (a full fledged right-wing Sanghi who writes for the organiser) is enough to understand why this article is twisted to show that Article 30 is somehow anti-Hindu. Most of his articles try to create mass hysteria by somehow creating this scenario that everyone is out to attack hindu culture. Please do not fall for propaganda being spewed out by the likes of these. And I'm sure a smart person like you can easily see through their made up theories and see how false this is.

To clarify, a more blatant discrimination on the basis of religion is exclusions of Dalit Christians and Muslims in the SC/ST category for reservations in jobs and colleges the predominant beneficiaries being Hindus. Why doesn't Mr. Aurora highlight this fact as the majority of reservations in education as well as jobs are set aside of non-muslims and non-Christians - a blatant discrimination. The Article 30 was bought in place to somewhat alleviate this discrepancy although this does not take into account the jobs factor.

Funding for most institutions is through private donations and income from wakf properties and government grants although play an important role are not the only source of funding. Besides, non-minority students can still study in minority institutions and madrasshas as seen in this article by munshi so whats wrong if my taxes fund these. Children are getting education and thats what matters!

In my personal opinion, there should be no such thing as reservations or minority institutions, everyone should be given a fair go and only "Economically backward classes" be they high caste or low caste or hindu , muslim or christian should be given preferential treatment in some way to help them out. Reservations in jobs should be completely removed because only merit should be the basis for this. Unfortunately, since the major beneficiaries are the SC/ST (mainly hindus) form a large voting bloc, any political party that preaches abolition of this will commit suicide and will not talk about this.


Now coming back to the Ramakrishna mission trying to declare itself a minority institution - I can't find any recent news about this. The only problem they had was state interference from the communist west Bengal government in 1980. Since then they have had no issues and they happily declare themselves as Hindu organization with no interference from straight authorities. Article 30 had nothing to do with this. Hinduism Today | Aug 1999

The RK mission have always done an excellent job and Sri RK was a remarkable person worthy of respect in all aspects.