Author: Suman Pradhan
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 3, 2002
Muslim groups in Nepal have scathingly
attacked the Sher Bahadur Deuba government's decision to regulate madrasas
that dot the southern Terai plains of the world's only Hindu Kingdom.
The Nepal Muslim Ittehad Association,
the largest Muslim group in the kingdom, charged the government move as
unwarranted and done under pressure from both India and the US. Chairman
of the Association Salim Mian Ansari said, "If the government is trying
to scrutinize the functioning of the madrasas, then I would say it is a
gimmick done under pressure from India and the US."
Mr. Ansari is also a top member
of the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist).
He demanded the government first fulfil its state obligations, such as
providing funding to the madrasas and recognising its curriculum before
attempting to scrutinise the religious schools. "We will oppose the decision
to regulate the madrasas if it is a one-sided affair".
The government decision to regulate
the madrasas and other religious schools was taken on Thursday. A senior
cabinet minister said the decision would enable the government to ensure
maintenance of their standard and quality and transparency in their functioning.
According to the ministry for education
and sports, more than 500 madrasas function along the long stretch of southern
plains near the Indian border where most of Nepal's Muslim population lives.
Previously, they were left unregistered, but now the government wants them
registered with the local district administration office and has also ordered
their books be open for official scrutiny.
Though Nepali madrasas have not
been implicated in any detrimental activity, the government is anxious
to regulate them, given the international spotlight on madrasas in South
Asia in the aftermath of the US-led global war against terrorism.
The US and Indian intelligence reports
have regularly singled out South Asian madrasas, particularly in Pakistan,
as a breeding ground for extremism. Madrasas in Nepal too have come under
close scrutiny from Indian security services, a fact which was made public
two years ago through a leaked intelligence report.
