Union Minister claims madrasas are threat to national security, foster terrorism

Union Minister and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed that madrasas provide training to their pupils in making AK-47 rifles with the help of broomsticks. 

In Short

• Union Minister claims madrasas train students to make AK-47 rifles
• Remarks made at inauguration of girls hotsel in Karimnagar
• He cites global examples of madrasa, links to terrorism

Union Minister and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar sparked controversy on Wednesday by making allegations against madrasas for fostering terrorism and posing a grave threat to national security.

He made these remarks while unveiling a new hostel block for girls at Sri Vidyaranya Avasa Vidyalayam in Telangana's Karimnagar district.

He claimed that madrasas provide training to their pupils in making AK-47 rifles with the help of broomsticks.

He slammed the state government for providing funds to such institutions, who are using the money to promote extremism.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister stated, "In places like Hyderabad, Siddipet, or Karim Nagar, some madrasas are said to offer small sums of money, ranging from Rs 10 to 100, to their students. But what happens inside these madrasas? If you look at many of the wrongdoers in the world — the so-called 'bad guys'— when asked where they learned such things, many will point to a madrasa. Whether it's a bomb blast in America, Mumbai, or London, there's often a connection to teachings from such institutions."

"Yet, what does the government do? Instead of addressing this, it provides funds for these madrasas, under the guise of developing new technologies and educational programs," he added.

Earlier in July, a row erupted in Uttar Pradesh after the opposition leader stated that the government did not honour meritorious students studying in madrasas as it did for toppers of Sanskrit and state board schools.

BJP leader Mohsin Raza, in response to opposition demands, stated that no awards are given for "progress in religious education".

"If such an award is to be given, then go to Saudi Arabia and get the award from there," Raza said.