Madrasas imparting terror education, says BJP MP

In controversial remarks, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday alleged that madarsas were giving 'education of terrorism'. He alleged that students were not being taught about nationalism in the religious schools.

The BJP’s MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj, on Sunday accused madrasas of imparting “education of terrorism” and “breeding jihadis”.

The comments came close on the heels of another saffron-clad BJP MP, Yogi Adityanath, saying “where there are 20 to 35% of them (Muslims), communal riots take place”. Two FIRs have since been registered against the Gorakhpur MP on the election commission’s orders as the ‘hate speech’ was made in the run-up to the just concluded bypolls.

“Show me one madrasa where the national flag is unfurled on Independence or Republic Day,” Maharaj said to HT when asked about his comments. He also alleged Muslim men were “trapping” women from other communities. “Now that there is a nationalist government at the Centre, I have merely tried to highlight the threat the country faces from within,” he added.

The ruling SP and the Congress condemned the “outrageous” remarks. Muslim cleric Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahal said, “It appears to be part of a systematic campaign to malign Muslims.”

The BJP has distanced itself from all such remarks.