Follow-Up

The Union Government appreciated the significant contribution being made by Islamic seminaries in eradicating illiteracy.


The union government has clarified that ‘madrasas,’ are not dens of terrorism. Addressing a seminar here recently, the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that ‘madrasas,’ were not centres of terrorism. “We believe that Islamic madrasas are seats of social service. They are not the centre of terrorism.”


“We are not ready to accept that they are the breeding ground of terrorism. We do not accept that. And keeping this in mind, our Government will go ahead and work,” he said. “Some violent incidents have taken place in the recent past like in Varanasi, Jama Masjid and in Delhi. Someone must have done that. They will definitely be punished. But it is wrong to blame the entire community. It is wrong and we will not allow that to happen,” added Patil.


Referring to the recent Mumbai blasts in the trains, Patil said some vested interests were trying to break the social fabric, communal harmony and brotherhood in society. “Fortunately, a majority of people in our country as well as in our neighbouring countries want peace,” he said. Lauding the key role played by madrasas in imparting education to a vast section, the Government appreciated the significant contribution being made by Islamic seminaries in eradicating illiteracy and spreading the message of human values and unity in society. However, he appealed to the madrasas to keep a vigil on their wards. “If they “strayed away” from the path of religious education they should be brought back to the right path,” he said.