New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed an investigation into alleged financial and administrative irregularities in government-funded madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, citing concerns over child rights violations and misuse of public funds.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said multiple complaints had been received, pointing to issues such as fake student attendance, fraudulent teacher appointments, and the hiring of unqualified staff. He stated that these alleged practices could undermine the right to education and the broader right of children to live with dignity.
According to Kanoongo, the commission has asked state agencies to conduct a detailed probe into what it described as "economic offences" linked to madrasa operations. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has been tasked with carrying out the investigation.
The matter has also reached the courts. Kanoongo noted that the probe was challenged in the High Court, where differing observations were made by judges. While one judge reportedly questioned why similar scrutiny was not being applied to other issues, another bench did not echo those concerns and issued a separate order without such remarks.
Defending the commission's role, Kanoongo said the NHRC is empowered to act in cases involving children's rights, including access to proper education. He added, "The rights of minorities under Articles 29, 30, 15, and 24 do not include the right to corruption…"
The NHRC has also flagged specific concerns over the appointment of more than 300 teachers during the COVID-19 lockdown period, calling the process "suspicious" and warranting further scrutiny.
Additionally, Kanoongo said the commission has received complaints alleging that some government-funded madrasas were enrolling Hindu children and training them in Islamic religious studies without transparent disclosures. He claimed, "We have received many complaints that UP government-funded madrasas have made Hindu children into Alim, Fazil, Maulvi and Maulana.
Not a single Madrassa in the state government has agreed to tell us the number of Hindu children who are being made eligible to go to Madrassa. These have to be investigated and we will investigate."
He stressed that institutions operating transparently have nothing to fear from the investigation, adding that the NHRC would continue to pursue the matter to ensure accountability and safeguard children's rights.
With ANI, IANS inputs