Madarsas - Islamic religious schools in Uttar Pradesh, have opposed the directive of Yogi Adityanath government ordering videography of Independence Day celebrations at their premises across the state.
In Mau, District Madarsa Management Association chief Arshad Nomani said that the UP government’s order casts aspersions on the integrity and sincerity of madarsas whereas these institutions played an important role in the Independence movement of the country. “Every madarsas hoist national flag on Independence and Republic Day besides going for ‘prabhat pheris’ in the morning. But it is unfortunate that only madarsas have been asked to celebrate Independence Day along with compulsory videography of the programme,” Nomani said. He further said, “The madarsas do not get additional funds for celebrating national day functions and even if an order comes, it should be for all and not only for educational institutions imparting religious education of a particular community.’’ As per a circular of the Registrar of UP Madarsa Education Board issued earlier this month, all recognized state-funded madarsas that on Independence Day, flag hoisting and recitation of National Anthem will take place at 8 am. After this, tribute will be paid to the martyrs of freedom struggle. Also, students will sing songs on nationalism and be told about the freedom struggle and freedom fighters.
The circular said cultural programmes will be organised on national unity along with sports activities and sweets will be distributed at the end of the session.
The circular also asks Minority Welfare Officers of all districts to direct madrasas to ensure that Independence Day be celebrated with zeal and that all programmes mentioned above are organised. The entire function has to be videographed.
In the past, there have been allegations that some madrasas did not hoist the National Flag on Independence Day. It’s for the first time that madarsas have been asked to hold cultural programmes on Independence Day and record the event.
At present, around there are 8,000 recognised madrasas in UP of these, 560 are fully aided by the state.
Along with the circular, the UP Madarsa Education Board has also sent text of National Anthem in both Hindi and Urdu. Sources said that in the past, some madrasas had argued that their students know only Urdu and were not fluent in Hindi.
Official sources in Minority Welfare department said that directives for hoisting National Flag and reciting National Anthem have been issued to madrasas earlier as well.
“But this is the first time when madrasas have been directed to pay tribute to freedom fighters and organise cultural function on national unity. While photography has been done in the past, videography will be done for the first time this year. These videos will be kept as an evidence to prove that all programmes were organised in madrasas as per state government directives.”
Defending the directions to madarsas, Minority Affair minister Chaudhary lakshmi Narayan said, “The madarsas recognised by UP Madarsa Education Board are funded by the state and are expected to celebrate all national festivals, including Independence Day. Through cultural programmes, students of the modern generation, will be made aware about freedom movement and martyrs.”
The minister also defended videography of programmes saying, “The videos of best programmes would be selected and will be screened in other madrasas so that students could draw inspiration from them.’’