Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 21st, 2020 reaffirmed that the government is stern on its decision to shut down all state-run madrassas and Sanskrit tols in the state.
Earlier Sarma told that the media that about 1,200 madrassas and 200 Sanskrit tols were running without any independent boards which is why the government has decided to turn them into regular schools within a period of six months. He also added that the government is working on ways to put strict regulations to govern the 2,000 private madrassas in the state.
Sarma’s mother and vice-president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Mrinalini Devi had however responded that Sanskrit education should continue in schools despite the closure of the traditional tols.
“The decisions of the government are based on logic and pure reasoning, they are not personal and do not run on the views of a mother or father. We will present these reasonings in the Vidhan Sabha as well for the public,” Sarma said.
He further added, “80% of the Sanskrit Tols are lying defunct and could hardly give any HSLC candidate. This year there were zero candidates. We cannot keep this going and misuse government money.”
The Minister was speaking with the media after visiting Sidheswar Devalaya– one of the major temples of the silk village dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It may be mentioned that the BJP-led government in Assam had disbanded madrassas as well as the Sanskrit Tol Board and merged it with the Secondary Board of Education Assam in 2017.
On being asked about Clause 6 report of Assam Accord, the Minister added that it will be submitted to the centre on February 25th, 2020.
Photo: Mridul Pritom Deka
