The West Bengal Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department has constituted an 18-member committee to review an ongoing survey of unrecognised madrasas across 12 districts of the state. The exercise focuses on institutions described by the administration as illegally operating and commonly referred to as “khariji madrasas.”
According to the department, the committee will begin district visits on July 15 and complete its review by July 21. A detailed report will then be submitted to the department, which will decide its next course of action after examining the committee’s findings.
The review will cover Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. These districts were selected after preliminary reports indicated the presence of a large number of unrecognised madrasas.
The present exercise follows an earlier directive issued by the department in June. District magistrates were instructed to prepare comprehensive reports on madrasas functioning within their jurisdictions and submit them to the state secretariat at Nabanna by July 5. Those reports formed the basis for launching a second round of verification before the government takes administrative decisions.
Officials sought detailed information about every institution under review. The survey includes the year of establishment, registration status, available records, student enrolment, teaching and non-teaching staff, residential facilities, and the curriculum being followed. The department aims to develop a clearer picture of the functioning and legal status of these institutions before deciding further action.
The review comes after Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Khudiram Tudu announced in May that the state government would act against illegally operating madrasas. He had stated that institutions found operating without recognition would face closure and those responsible would face legal action. He also said the administration would remain vigilant to prevent such institutions from reopening after enforcement measures.
The formation of the review committee marks the next stage of the state’s verification process. Its findings are expected to guide the government’s decisions regarding the status of the identified institutions and any administrative or legal measures considered necessary. The outcome of the exercise will likely attract attention from educational institutions, community organisations and residents across the affected districts as the government moves towards completing its assessment.
