Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday backed Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sakshi Maharaj’s remarks that children studying in Madrassas are trained to become terrorists.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamna has repeated Maharaj’s assertion that Madrassas have become “factories for jehadis”. The editorial also questioned the benefit of religious education provided in Madrassas.
It also questioned the government aid to these religious schools.
Sakshi Maharaj alleged that Madrassas were giving “education of terrorism”.
Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday alleged that Madrassas were giving “education of terrorism”, drawing sharp reaction from other parties which accused the BJP of trying to create communal polarisation by spreading “canard”. The BJP too has washed its hands off the controversy saying his views were personal.
“There should be a common board for the Madrassas and they should check what’s being taught there. They teach terrorism in Madrassas. Just the way in schools, we are taught good values, they should teach Muslim kids good things as well, and not just teach them the Quran and how to become jihadis.
“Why is there a different code for Madrassas and schools? Madrassas should also teach the same things rather than teaching terrorism,” the MP from Unnao constituency said.
Maharaj alleged that students were not being taught about nationalism in religious schools. “Tell me about one Madrassa where the tricolour is hoisted on August 15 and January 26,” he said.