In a U-turn over madrasa politics, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani has directed the madrasa operators to cooperate with the state authorities conducting the survey of all private unrecognised madrasas across the state.

Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani of Darul Uloom Deoband also endorsed the call by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind during the daylong conference of over 250 madrasas at Deoband in Saharanpur district on Sunday. 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had earlier opposed the survey ordered by the UP government.

This decision of a big Islamic organisation in Deoband has dealt a big blow to the madrasa politics of Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who had described the survey as a “mini NRC” (National Register of Citizens). 

In a meeting held with more than 250 madrasa operators in Darul Uloom Deoband, instructions have been given to cooperate in the survey of all madrasas. It was also said that the madrasa survey of the UP government should be welcomed.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, an organisation of Islamic clerics, made its stand clear regarding the survey orders of the Uttar Pradesh government in the conference of madrasa owners/operators convened on Sunday at Darul Uloom Deoband, in Saharanpur.

Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani and Maulana Arshad Madani asked all the madrasa operators to keep all the accounts of madrasas transparent.

Nomani of Darul Uloom threw light on the history and importance of madrasas. On the survey, he said that information had been received from some places that in the name of investigation, money was being demanded from the madrasa operators.

“If this happens anywhere, then the district administration should be contacted,” he said.

During the conference, Maulana Mufti Shaukat Bastavi, Nazim of Kul Hind Rabta-e-Madaris Islamia, while releasing the manifesto during the conference. said, “Our madrasas have never been found to be involved in anti-national activities. That is why the media should also have a positive attitude towards madrasas. Madrasas are open books and their doors are always open to all.”

The UP government had ordered a survey of unrecognised and self-financed madrasas. In compliance with the order, investigation teams were constituted at the district level on September 10. The teams are conducting outreach surveys in madrasas running without the help of the government.

As part of the survey, the teams are gathering information from madrasa operators on the financial sources and basic facilities of their institutions. They will have to submit their report to the government on October 5.