Kolkata, September 13 (TNA) The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrasas and issued show-cause notices to around 100 more after a statewide verification exercise found that several Islamic educational institutions allegedly lacked mandatory approvals and basic infrastructure.
The action is part of the first phase of a survey conducted by the state’s Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department across government-aided and private madrasas. The department began field-level inspections in June to assess institutions’ legal status, infrastructure and management systems.
Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Khudiram Tudu said 252 madrasas had been directed to stop operating after the survey identified deficiencies, including the absence of required government authorisation and basic facilities.
“Based on the findings, orders were issued to shut down 252 madrasas in the first phase. Additionally, show-cause notices have been served to another 100 madrasas where more serious irregularities were detected,” Tudu said, according to reports.
The institutions that have received show-cause notices will be required to submit valid documents and authorisation. The government has indicated that closure action may follow if they fail to establish their legal status and meet the required norms.
Reports said the state-wide review identified 2,396 madrasas operating without the required approval. The closure directions issued to 252 institutions form part of the first round of action, while verification and administrative proceedings involving other institutions are expected to continue.
Among the 252 institutions served closure notices, media reports said at least 44 are in Malda, 37 in Uttar Dinajpur, 32 in South 24 Parganas, and 25 each in Nadia and Murshidabad. Officials have maintained that madrasas possessing valid approvals and meeting prescribed norms will be allowed to continue functioning.
The development has triggered a political row in West Bengal, where madrasa education has long been a sensitive political issue. While the state government has presented the exercise as an administrative verification drive focused on compliance, the BJP has raised concerns about alleged radicalisation and unauthorised religious educational institutions.
The BJP has pushed back against Trinamool Congress criticism, arguing that the current exercise is a regulatory and administrative process rather than action against any community or religion.
The closures, notices and further verification are likely to remain under close political scrutiny as the government proceeds with its review of madrasa institutions across the state.