The Hindu : National : “Move to set up Board will destroy ‘madrasa’ identity”

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“Move to set up Board will destroy ‘madrasa’ identity”

Atiq Khan

The Vande Mataram issue is being exploited to target Muslims, says Jamiat

DEOBAND ( Uttar Pradesh ): Articulating the grievances of Muslims, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) on Tuesday reiterated its strong opposition to the proposal to set up a Central Madrasa Board as another attempt by the government to interfere in the ‘madrasa’ education system. It condemned attempts to equate terrorism with the minority community.

The Jamiat urged the United Progressive Alliance government to implement the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission reports in a way to benefit a maximum number of people, and “stop making lucrative promises.”

The JUH expressed concern at communal hatred and violence on the issue of “Vande Mataram,” and anguish over the Delhi High Court verdict on Article 377. It also demanded separate reservation for Muslim OBCs and opposed the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Twenty-one resolutions were adopted on the concluding day of the three-day 30th general session of the JUH held at Shaikhul Hind Nagar here. A copy of the resolutions was presented to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who was present.

The Central Madrasa Board would dilute the identity and destroy the spiritual character of ‘madrasas,’ a resolution said. If the government was really serious about eliminating backwardness among Muslims, modern schools and colleges should be opened in Muslim-populated areas, and the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia University restored.

Another resolution deplored the propaganda equating terrorism with “jihad.” While jihad was constructive, terrorism was a destructive phenomenon, it said.

The meeting condemned “fidayeen” attacks in which innocents lost their lives and said an attempt should be made to bring misguided youth back into the mainstream.

The resolution on “Vande Mataram” said the issue was being exploited to target Muslims. Stating that patriotism did not require singing “Vande Mataram” in schools, the JUH supported the fatwa by Darululoom, Deoband, on the subject.

On homosexuality, the JUH it urged the government not to amend Article 377 of the Constitution and asked it to take a clear stand on the Delhi High Court judgment, which decriminalised homosexuality. It noted the criticism of the verdict by religious leaders of all communities.

Demanding separate reservation for the Muslim OBCs listed by the Mandal Commission, a resolution demanded that Muslim labour castes and the backward classes should be treated on a par with Dalits by amending Article 341.

The JUH said if the Women’s Bill was passed in its present form, Muslim representation in Parliament would be further diminished.

It condemned “American barbarism against the people of Iraq,” and “American aggression in Afghanistan.”

In his address, JUH leader Maulana Mahmood Madani said the country could not progress if Muslims remained backward. Seeking equal rights for them, he said the JUH condemned terrorism, and at the same time government interference in ‘madrasas’ would not be tolerated.

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha K. Rahman Khan sought to allay the fears over the Central Madrasa Board and said it would not be formed without the approval of Muslims.

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