NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW – Around 4,000 madrasas across Uttar Pradesh are facing investigation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), with a focus on their funding sources. The move has caused deep concern among Muslim educators, who say religious schools are being treated with suspicion despite no record of their involvement in any terror-related activity.
The inquiry is examining the sources of funding for madrasas, both within the country and from abroad. Officials are asking for detailed financial information, including bank accounts of madrasa societies and even personal account numbers of managers. After the checks are completed, a detailed report will be sent to the state government, which will decide the next steps.
Leaders of madrasa teachers’ organisations say the action has created fear and confusion among staff and management committees. They argue that the role of the ATS is to deal with terrorism, not to treat religious educational institutions as suspects.
Diwan Sahib Zaman Khan, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Association Madrasa Arabia in Uttar Pradesh, spoke openly about the issue. “The ATS was formed to stop terrorism,” he said. “Till today, no madrasa has been linked to any terror incident. Even then, four thousand madrasas are being checked. This is painful and worrying for the entire community.”
He said that madrasas had already provided answers to ten questions earlier. These included basic details about registration, staff, and functioning. Yet a fresh order from the Director of Minority Welfare shows that the main focus now is on funding.
“They are asking for the bank account of the madrasa society and also the account number of the manager,” Zaman Khan said. “In one district, the account numbers of all committee members were demanded. People are scared and confused.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
