Bhopal: The Bharatiya Janata Party has escalated its campaign against madrasas in Madhya Pradesh, with party MLA Rameshwar Sharma calling them “conversion hubs” and demanding immediate action. He said district collectors have been directed to act against these institutions, claiming they are involved in religious conversions.
The controversy follows a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) probe into a complaint filed on September 26. The complaint alleged that 556 Hindu children in 27 unrecognised madrasas across the state were being indoctrinated and persuaded to convert to Islam under the guise of education. In response, the NHRC asked the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department to conduct an enquiry and submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days.
Sharma alleged that “maulanas” were using Urdu lessons as a pathway to conversion, and warned that “Maulvis and Mullahs will face consequences for their actions.” He stressed that the government would not tolerate conversions and those responsible would not be spared.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act 2021, popularly known as the “love jihad law.” Initially introduced as an ordinance in 2020, the legislation was projected as a safeguard against coercion or fraud in conversions. Rights groups and opposition leaders, however, argue that the law is being used to criminalise and surveil Muslims, particularly targeting madrasas and Muslim-run educational or charitable institutions.
Observers note that convictions under the law remain rare, yet allegations and crackdowns continue to rise, heightening concerns about selective enforcement and political polarisation in the state.
