‘Madrasas are breeding ground for terrorists, any kind of funding should be stopped’: MP Culture Minister Usha Thakur

Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Usha Thakur said that funding to madrasas must be stopped immediately as they are the breeding ground for terrorists. The statement gains prominence as government funds to Madrasas were banned in Assam, recently.

She also added madrasas are a hotbed for terror activities and asserted that all the terrorists studied at madrasas.

“All the radicals and terrorists who studied in madrasas have turned Jammu and Kashmir into a terror factory,” Thakur said, who had earlier called for a ban on Muslim youths at Garba events.

Thakur suggested madrasas who cannot comply with nationalism should be merged with the existing education system to ensure complete progress of the society.

Thakur’s proclamations assume significance, given that the BJP government in Assam recently announced the shutdown of government run madrasas and Sanskrit schools.

When asked if she is specifically asking for the closure of madrasas, Thakur clarified that she is arguing for the withdrawal of government aides to these organisations.

“Organisations such as Waqf Board that are financially strong enough to fund the madrasas can continue to do so. If someone, in his personal capacity, is willing to impart and finance religious teachings, he is free to do so,” Thakur said.

Besides, Thakur staunchly advocated common education for children of all religion, claiming religion-based education created discord in the society and fuelled hatred and radicalism.

The firebrand politician has been in the news for sometime now for her controversial remarks. Last year, the Indore MLA had hailed Nathuram Godse as a nationalist. Before that, she had called upon a ban on Muslim youths from entering Garba events.

A few weeks back, Thakur was embroiled in another controversy when she called the tribal outfit Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) as anti-national. JAYS is a formidable organisation and enjoys considerable influence among young tribals, especially in West MP districts neighbouring Indore, and its founder member Dr Hiralal Alawa is a Congress MLA from Manawar (Dhar)