‘Pakistan-published books used in government-funded madrassas in Bihar,’ alleges NCPCR chairman

New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman Priyank Kanoongo on Sunday raised concerns over the “radical curriculum” and use of “Pakistan-published books” allegedly in government-funded madrassas in Bihar.

In a post on X, Kanoongo said that certain books like “Talimul Islam,” are being used in these institutions in which non-Islamic individuals are called “Kafirs”

“In Bihar, Talimul Islam and other similar books are being taught in the government-funded Madrasas. In this book, non-Islamics are declared as Kafirs,” Kanoongo posted on X.

The NCPCR chairman expressed alarm over the reported enrollment of Hindu children in these madrasas, accusing the Bihar government of withholding official data on the number of such students.

“It has been reported that Hindu children are also being admitted in these madrasas but the Bihar government is not giving official information on the number ratio. On the question of transferring Hindu children from Madrasas to schools, the Bihar Madrasa Board said that the curriculum of Madrasas has been prepared by UNICEF India,” he added.

He condemned this involvement, calling it the “height of appeasement” by both UNICEF and the Madrasa Board.

“This is the height of appeasement by UNICEF and the Madrasa Board. It is not UNICEF’s job to create a radical curriculum using money received as donations and grants from governments in the name of child protection. Misuse of funds in activities other than RTE is a direct violation of the Constitution of India and UNCRC should be investigated by the UN in India UN should also monitor it,” he added.

He further urged the UN to investigate these activities and recommended the dissolution of the Madrassa Board.

“Many books included in the prescribed curriculum are published in Pakistan and research on their content is ongoing. Madrasa is not a place for basic education of children in any form, children should study in school and Hindu children should not be in Madrasas at all, Madrasa Board should be dissolved,” he said.