New Delhi, Feb. 28: The decision to close Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has been criticized for creating hurdles against educational opportunities for Muslims.
The government’s closure of MAEF is not only against its slogan “Padhega India, Tabhi to Badhega India,” but also the recommendation of Sachar Committee Report.
On February 7, Dhiraj Kumar, undersecretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, issued an order to shut down MAEF without giving any logical explanation. The recommendation for this move came from Central Waqf Council (CWC).
After the notification, forty-three contractual employees received a termination order. Furthermore, even though the Foundation had liabilities of Rs.403.55 crore and assets of Rs.1073.26 crore as of November 30, 2023, MoMA directed the transfer of excess cash to the Consolidated Fund of India.
Mohammad Wazir Ansari, former DGP of Chhattisgarh who has also served as Secretary of MAEF, told Radiance, “It’s very unfortunate and shocking. It’s a great setback and utter violation of principle of socio-economic justice to all five minority groups especially for Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. It will affect lakhs of students, as lakhs have benefited from its scholarship schemes so far.”
“It was also providing funds to develop infrastructure for school building, library, and computer centers. When I was its secretary more than 1500 institutions had received grants to develop their infrastructures. Muslims since Independence are facing discrimination, deprivation suppression and systematic elimination which has become more evident in the last decade,” said the former DGP.
“It’s really painful to note that the government instead of strengthening institutions or bodies related to Muslims is doing the just opposite and MAEF closure substantiates this claim. They are not only attacking educational institutions promoting educational aspiration of Muslims but also mosques, madrasas and everything related to Muslims,” said MAEF Ex-Secretary.
Wajahat Habibullah, former NCM Chairperson said it’s the policy of government to wind up all government institutions which are there for minorities.
“It is another example of the government taking action against the interest of the minorities. The institution was doing something very important for the development of the country, giving scholarships to the poor minority youth and that door has been closed which is very sad,” said Roop Rekha Verma, former Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University.
