Admission to madrassas is a “rights violation,” according to Assam’s chief minister: ‘Can’t be doctors.’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who opposes madrassa education for children, said on Sunday that schools should provide modern education so that students can follow whatever interests them in the future, and that religious education can be provided at home.

Anyone joining a religious group, he maintained, should be of legal age to make their own decisions.

Mr Sarma said youngsters will not want to go to a madrassa if they are told they will not be able to become a doctor or engineer after studying there, and that admitting them to such religious schools is a violation of human rights.

“Madrassa, as a word, should be phased out. Children will never be able to become doctors or engineers unless this madrassa is remembered.

“No child would accept if you asked him while admitting him to a madrassa.” Children are accepted to madrassas despite their human rights being violated, according to Sarma.

Mr Sarma expounded on his statements after the event, adding that the education system in madrassas should be such that pupils have the freedom to do whatever they choose in the future.

“Any religious institution should admit children when they are old enough to make their own judgments,” he told reporters.

“I have always advocated for the abolition of madrassas, which prioritise religious indoctrination over formal education.” Every child should be exposed to science, mathematics, and other aspects of modern education,” Later, Mr. Sarma took to Twitter.

Sarma said at the event that every child deserved a formal education.

“You can teach Quran at home for hours if you want, but a child deserves to learn science and math in school. Every youngster should be exposed to science, mathematics, and other aspects of modern education “According to the BJP leader.

Mr Sarma made these comments in answer to a question regarding how madrassas can improve their educational programmes in order to produce more professionals.

When told that madrassa children are smart because they memorise the Quran, Mr Sarma responded, “…if a madrassa going youngster is meritorious, it is because of his Hindu heritage…at one point in time, all Muslims were Hindus.” Mr Sarma said Assam has a 36% Muslim population, separated into three groups: indigenous Muslims with a culture similar to ours, converted Muslims (dubbed desi Muslims) who still have a Tulsi plant in their courtyard, and migrant Muslims who identify as Miya Muslims.

Tags:CM Biswa Sarma, Madarssa ,Formal Education  

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