The Hindu : National : Madrasas not breeding terrorists: Arjun Singh

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Monday, Dec 04, 2006
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Madrasas not breeding terrorists: Arjun Singh

Special Correspondent

Open to ideas on board: Arjun

PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh at a conference on "Introduction of Modern Education in Madrasas and Need for a Central Madrasa Board" in New Delhi on Sunday. (Right) Participants at the meet.

NEW DELHI : Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Sunday said the allegation that madrasas were a breeding ground for terrorist was "untrue." The Government was open to suggestions on setting up a Central Madrasa Board.

He was speaking at a conference convened by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions. The meeting was the culmination of a series of consultations held across the country.

Referring to the Sachar Committee report on the status of minorities, he said the Government would try its best to implement its suggestions.

Statistics showed that hardly 4 per cent of Muslim children went to madrasas.

Minister of State for HRD, M.A.A. Fatmi, said secondary and primary education would be strengthened to ensure greater representation for Muslims in institutions of higher learning such as the IITs and IIMs ensured.

He suggested imparting technical training to people in their mother tongue to create more job opportunities. "The Sachar Committee report is a mirror for politicians to see where Muslim education stands today."

NCMEI Chairman M.S.A. Siddiqui said affiliation to the proposed central madrasa board should be voluntary. It should be set up under legislation and free from Government interference.All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Faruqi also spoke. "We want the Government to leave the madarsas alone."

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