Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been under the fire of opposition parties and Muslim clerics over his comments on madrassas.

Reacting to the Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments on madrassas, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that the BJP governments in India are trying to provoke the Muslims.

“Muslims being provoked to react so that these people get a chance to execute another episode like that in Gujarat or UP,” Mehbooba Mufti said.

Mehbooba Mufti also drew comparison on the “tactics used by the BJP that are in line with the British rule” in India.

“The British pitted Hindus against Muslims, today BJP is doing the same. The Prime Minister is watching silently,” Mehbooba Mufti said.

Also read: Madrassa debate revives: Muslim clerics slam Himanta Biswa Sarma, say Assam CM’s ‘dream’ is against Constitution

The madrassa debate has once again breathed fresh air, thanks to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Assam chief minister, on Sunday, while speaking at an event, said that the word “madrassa must cease to exist”.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that “normal education” must be imparted to children instead of religious teachings in schools.

“Till the time this word (madrasa) exists, children will not be able to think about becoming doctors and engineers,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

“Teach the Quran to your children, but at home,” he added.

Also read: Teach Quran, but at home: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma as he argues against madrassas

However, this statement by the Assam chief minister has not gone down well among many, including the Muslim clerics, in the country.

Slamming Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Islamic scholar Maulana Masood Hassan Qasmi, who hails from Assam, said that the word ‘madrassa’ itself means school.

Maulana Masood Hassan Qasmi said that prevention of opening or closing down of private madrassas is in violation of the Constitution of India.

He said: “We welcome the move of converting government-aided madrassas into general schools. But closing down of private madrassas would be in violation of the Constitution.”

“Article 30 of the Constitution of India states minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions,” Maulana Qasmi told News 18.

Notably, Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India states: “All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.”