Madrasas teaching incomplete history: RSS

“As per the syllabus, the secondary section students are taught history from the 712 AD onwards, after the Arabs invaded the country. Students are not taught anything about Ashoka The Great or even Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, the two greatest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. This way, the students are being taught an incomplete history of the country. It is not fair as despite being deprived of the true history of India, these students are granted certificates that are at par with their Madhyamik counterparts,” said Dr Jisnu Basu, state general secretary, RSS.

Talking to The Indian Express, Basu said he is in talks with a number of lawyers who advised that people should be made aware of this, before a PIL can be filed. “We have mobilized our workers and already the people from all sections have started writing to the Madrasah Board demanding that the syllabus be rectified. If the Board fails to make necessary corrections, we will file a PIL,” Basu added.

Both the Madrasah Board and the state minority department, meanwhile, brushed aside the allegation. “They are saying things that are not aware of. Our history syllabus is complete. Let them move court and we shall reply them there,” said Professor Fuzl-e-Rabbi, president, Madrasah Board.

He said that as per the madrasa syllabus, ancient history is taught in Class VI, medieval history in Class VII and modern history in Class VII. “The syllabus pattern had been decided by an expert committee of the government. The Madrasah Board also follows its Madhyamik counterpart. This year they (Madhyamik) have added some portions on the European history, which we will incorporate in our syllabus from next year,” he added.

Syed Ahmed Baba, principal secretary, too, said that the madrasa students are “taught an all-round history and the allegations are unfounded”.

There are 614 madrasas under the Board across the state, imparting education to about five lakh students.