Madrasa managements across the country are keenly watching the budget session of Parliament. No, they are not looking forward to the kind of budget that will be presented by the Finance Minister. Their anxiety is to see the promised relief coming in the Right to Education (RTE) Act for minority institutions. The government has promised to bring amendments to certain sections of the Act seen as having a ‘negative impact' on the madrasas.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is spearheading a campaign against the adverse effects of the RTE Act on the madrasa education system and also other minority institutions. In the last few months, the Save Constitutional Rights Campaign committee has covered most parts of UP, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Fears expressed
The RTE Act was already passed by Parliament in 2009. Its full implementation is to take effect from April 1 and therefore, the worry about thousands of madrasas across the country shutting down unless they are excluded from the ambit of the Act.
Madrasa management fear that the right of children to free and compulsory education under the Act will eventually end the autonomy of madrasas.
Every child from 1 to 8 class is required to get education in a neighbourhood school as per government- approved syllabus. What this means is children in the age group of six to 14 will not have the freedom to study Islamic subjects. This directly infringes upon the rights of religious communities as guaranteed under Article 25 and 30 of the Constitution, it is said.
Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has promised to see that the Act does not apply to madrasas, Vedic patshalas and other institutions imparting religious instructions.
Amendments urged
“We hope the government will move necessary amendments to the Act in the Rajya Sabha to rectify the defects,” said AIMPLB assistant general secretary, Raheem Qureshi.
Wakf (Amendment) Bill
said the AIMPLB is also campaigning against the controversial Wakf (Amendment) Bill 2010 and the Direct Taxes Code Bill. Though the Wakf Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, the Upper House has sent it to a select committee for reconsideration.
The Direct Taxes Code bill, which seeks to tax religious trusts, places of worship and donations made to them, has been referred to a standing committee.
