UP madrassa body hails HC decision on hoisting Tricolour

A prominent organisation of madrassas in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday welcomed the Allahabad High Court’s decision directing state authorities to ensure that all madrassas hoist <g data-gr-id="15">national</g> flag on Independence Day and Republic Day.

The Madaris-e-Arabia Uttar Pradesh, in a meeting held at the Jama Masjid in Aligarh on <g data-gr-id="18">Wednesday</g> welcomed the HC directive, a statement issued by the organisation’s general secretary Mohd Ibrahim <g data-gr-id="19">Qasmi</g> said. However, the statement further said it was ironical that a petition had been filed in this connection which indirectly questioned the loyalty of all madrassas to the country.

He said the history bears testimony to the fact that madrassas belonging both to the Deoband and Bareilvi schools of thought have been the vanguard in the freedom movement of the country.

The Ulemas heading these madrassas had spent a major part of their lives behind bars not only in India but in the jails of Andaman and Nicobar, Malta and Europe, Qasmi said adding that it was unfortunate that on Wednesday the loyalty of these institutions <g data-gr-id="21">were</g> being questioned “purely to settle political points and strengthen divisive forces in the country.” 

Qasmi said that every year each madrassa in the country celebrates Independence Day and Republic Day with the same fervor as other schools do. He said that madrassas were second to none in spreading secularism and national unity.