Kolkata: The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrasas following a statewide verification drive aimed at identifying recognised and unapproved Islamic educational institutions. Show-cause notices have also been issued to 100 other madrasas where authorities found irregularities.
Minority Affairs Minister Khudiram Tudu said the institutions served with notices must produce valid authorisation and supporting documents. Failure to do so could result in their closure.
According to the findings, a large number of the 252 madrasas facing closure belong to the Khariji sect. District-wise, 44 are located in Malda, 37 in Uttar Dinajpur, 32 in South 24 Parganas, and 25 each in Nadia and Murshidabad.
The verification exercise was ordered by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in June. The Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department subsequently surveyed institutions across Kolkata and 22 districts, examining their management systems, student enrolment, funding sources and registration status.
The government said 2,132 madrasas currently have valid approval, while 2,396 remain unapproved.
The move has triggered a political debate. BJP leaders defended the action, citing concerns over alleged radicalisation and anti-national activities in border areas. Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh, however, argued that madrasas are educational institutions and objected to linking them broadly with terrorism.
