Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today said the state government's decision to modernise the traditional teaching system in madrasas (Islamic seminaries) is a progressive step and flayed opposition parties for "lacking the vision" to appreciate a good gesture.
"The Shiv Sena-BJP stance to oppose the decision is a good example of lack of vision," MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant told reporters here.
The leaders who are criticising the decision to modernise madrasas should recall that in 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections, the BJP manifesto also spoke of modernising madrasas, Sawant said.
On BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis's statement that the decision has been taken "keeping an eye on the (minorities) vote bank," Sawant retorted, "does Fadnanvis want to convey that the provision for modernisation of madrasas in Gujarat BJP manifesto was taken with the same objective?"
Maharashtra Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal for modernisation of madrasas and linking them to the mainstream education system. The cabinet gave its nod to the proposal by the Minorities department for allocation of Rs 10 crore for the ongoing academic year.
The decision, ahead of assembly elections, was greeted with criticism by opposition parties, which accused the Congress-NCP government of trying to appease minorities.
It is estimated that around two lakh students study in madrasas in the state, which has about 3,000 such seminaries.
