The enemy of an enemy, especially if both happen to preach religious fundamentalism, is not a friend of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee.
Just before the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh had announced an economic package for madrasas in the BJP-led state. It so happened that prior to this pre-poll gesture, in faraway Kolkata, Mr Bhattacharjee had publicly stated his government's concerns about the proliferation of 'unrecognised' madrasas in his state and the possibility that they may be serving as breeding grounds for 'anti-national sentiments'. In classic knee-jerk fashion, party comrades were appalled, some even accusing him of playing a 'communal card'. Under pressure, a stumped Mr Bhattacharjee was made to retract his 'offensive' statements and shelve his campaign against 'unrecognised' madrasas.
Over the last month, however, Mr Bhattacharjee has initiated a package of reforms. He has sought the help of the state and central police and the BSF to conduct a detailed census of madrasas and khaliji madrasas (schools run by mosques). He has also asked for information regarding their student strength and possible links with fundamentalist organisations. Also laudatory is his suggestion to look into and 'modernise' the syllabi of these seminaries. Hopefully, this time round, Mr Bhattacharjee won't be charged with supping with the 'saffron devils'.
The number of unrecognised madrasas
is thought to be over 4,000 - compared to the 500-odd recognised by the
government whose syllabi and affiliations are therefore known. All that
Mr Bhattacharjee is attempting is to look into the functioning of these
'parallel' seminaries. To think that he is now succumbing to playing the
communal card is being foolishly reactionary. West Bengal, as Mr Bhattacharjee
realises, can well do without religious fundamentalism, whether it be of
the VHP or SIMI variety.