'Anti-India Teachings': Bengal Launches Crackdown On Khariji Madrassas; BJP Leaders Back Move

Published 12 July 2026 · politics

'Anti-India Teachings': Bengal Launches Crackdown On Khariji Madrassas; BJP Leaders Back Move Published By, Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 21:20 IST Paul said the exercise

'Anti-India Teachings': Bengal Launches Crackdown On Khariji Madrassas; BJP Leaders Back Move Published By, Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 21:20 IST Paul said the exercise would help determine what was being taught in these institutions and examine their curriculum. Rapid Read The exercise will cover both recognised and unrecognised institutions, including “Khariji” madrasas. The West Bengal government has ordered physical inspections of unaided madrassas across 12 districts as part of an exercise to review the institutions’ functioning and ensure compliance with the state’s educational framework. According to an order issued on July 8 by the state’s Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department, the inspections are scheduled to be completed by July 15, TOI reported. Senior madrassa department officials and other government agencies have been assigned district-wise responsibilities. Crackdown Ordered In 12 Districts The districts covered under the exercise include Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. The inspections are aimed at assessing student welfare, the implementation of educational schemes and the functioning of unaided institutions.

The exercise will cover both recognised and unrecognised institutions, including “Khariji" madrassas, which are run by individuals, communities and private organisations without government funding. Authorities will collect information on the institutions’ origins, funding sources, student enrolment, teaching and non-teaching staff, residential facilities and curriculum to determine whether they comply with the state’s regulatory framework. BJP Leaders Welcome Move The move has triggered political reactions, with BJP leaders backing the crackdown. Union Minister and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar supported the government’s decision, saying that an inquiry into such institutions was necessary. He also referred to former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s remarks, in which he had alleged that these places had become hubs of terrorism, adding that political compulsions later forced him to retract his statement. “Whatever decision Govt has taken is right, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has said earlier that these places became place for terrorism, then he had to track back from his statement. It’s important to have enquiry there," the BJP MP said. ‘Anti-India Teachings Are Imparted Here’: Agnimitra Paul On Crackdown Meanwhile, State minister Agnimitra Paul alleged that “anti-India" sentiments were being taught in some unrecognised madrassas and welcomed the inspections.