Lucknow: A controversial remark by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has started a new controversy in state politics. His remark, before the assembly elections, claiming that madrasas “produce terrorism”, is drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and Muslim religious leaders.
What did Keshav Prasad Maurya say?
While talking to reporters, Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “It is true that terror strikes, be it in India or across the world, are a result of madrasa education.” His comments have been severely criticised by the opposition parties.
He has said that no matter which country it is, the sole objective of madrassa education is to spread terrorism. Keshav Prasad Maurya’s comments were made following the comments of author Taslima Nasrin calling for the ‘closure of madrassas’ in the backdrop of the Bangladesh crisis.
Significantly, the comment of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya comes at a time when the state government is trying to bring changes in the madrasa education system. A big decision on this front can be made in the upcoming Cabinet meeting of Uttar Pradesh, sources said.
What was Maulana’s reply?
Speaking about the allegation of madrasas as a “terrorist factory”, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi said people like Taslima Nasreen and Keshav Prasad Maurya should take a look at the history of India. In the War of Independence, 55 thousand madrasa scholars sacrificed their lives. The slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” was created in madrasas.
