Right to Education bill 2009 and Muslim’s concern

By

Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi

There is no doubt over avails of this law. It provides right to get education for the children between from 6 to 14 years of age.

If we take a look on this law, it clears central government's intention in educating every child whether he is from tribal cast or from minority communities.

According to this law, government will take all responsibilities of education of the 6 to 14 year old children

Muslim community's children can make bright their future under this law. According to it, government will make arrangement and will make sure in providing education to every child.

In spite of appreciating government's move in eliminating the illiteracy from the country, this bill is a killer of Minority community's institutions and their schools.

Surely, Muslim's Madarsas and their modern institutions will be affected more if it is accepted as it is without any amendment in it.

There are some points stated below show that how this law can affect Madrasas and the schools run by Muslims.

1. This law is silent on Madarsas, its education, syllabus and the students are studying there.

2. Government's approved education which is being taught in government's run schools or in government's affiliated schools, is acceptable only as stated in the adjectives of the Education in this bill. Such as, government’s approved and prepared syllabus will be acceptable only under this law.

Question arises here; will government accept the Madarsas syllabus? The education is being delivered in these Madrasas will be acceptable? What's the future of Madarsas students according to this law?

3. According to it, nobody can open schools without government's approval.

4. The adjectives and the conditions of schools are stated in this bill, Madrasas are unable to fulfill these conditions.

5. Those, who will violate it, will be punished, which is one lack rupee fine for the first time, after that they will be given three years to correct their mistakes, 10 thousand rupees fine every day if they do not follow government's guidelines.

6. According to it, other private schools, private Madrasas and private institutions run by Muslims will be closed automatically. Their independence work is unacceptable by this new law.

7. Government will prepare the syllabus and finalize that which kind of education to be taught in the schools. In that situation too, Muslims children will be deprived from their religious education. They cannot access to study and read their history.

8. This bill not only destroys Muslim's religious education system which is escalated over hundreds and thousands of years, but also forbid them to open their schools or Madarsas and teach there the syllabus prepared by them only.

In a conference held by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind a few days ago, Mr. Kapil Sibbal had said that government will not interfere in Madarsas education. It is possible that current government will not obstruct in these institutions, however, is there guaranty that any next government in the garb of this law will not intrude in Madarsas education?

This bill has become a law now, is only assurance and guide lines can take the place of law? Or it can be accepted in the court if it challenged by anyone in the future?

Everyone knows that various governments have tried to take Madrasas in their control. This law facilitates of such efforts and provides a way within the law to stop Muslims from running the Madarsas.

In future, when Hindutva sympathizers will come in center, as we have experienced in past, how that government will approve it while these Madarsas are a big hurdle in their eyes from the beginning.

At last, the consequences of this bill are very dangerous looking towards country's current political systems.

If UPA government is honest in its work, then why is it hesitating in bringing amendment in the law to eliminate Muslims' doubts?

Current government can take any legal step to clear the air over rights of minority's education which is granted under section of 29 and 30.

Muslim leaders should have to oppose this law and try to convince the government over making amendment in it to escape from any puzzle of law by any state or central government in future over Minority's right of education and opening their schools and Madarsas.

18-08-2010