Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister of Assam, has said that his administration has already shut down 600 madrassas and plans to do the same with the rest of the state’s madrassas to prioritize public schools, universities, and colleges. Sarma claims that individuals from Bangladesh are traveling to Assam to engage in “jihadi activities.” This threatens the state’s culture and civilization because of the prevalence of madrassas in the area.
Sarma said last year that Assam had become a hub for “jihadi activities,” after arresting five “jihadi” modules with linkages to terror groups in Bangladesh with ties to Al Qaeda. At least six members of the ABT, all originally from Bangladesh, are believed to have entered India illegally between 2016 and 2017 to indoctrinate local youngsters with the “jihadi” doctrine and establish terror modules and sleeper cells.
According to reports, the government is coordinating with the Muslim community to shut down these madrassas. Some have seen Sarma’s actions as an attack on the Muslim population. Still, the Chief Minister insists that his goal is to improve educational opportunities and safeguard the citizens of Assam.