The Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the illegal madrasas has submitted its report to the Yogi Administration, suggesting the closure of nearly 13,000 such institutions. Most of the madrasas deemed unauthorized are located near the Nepal border. The SIT claims that the construction of these madrasas over the past two decades has been financed by Gulf countries.
Out of the madrasas recommended for closure by the SIT, the majority are found in border districts adjacent to Nepal, including Maharajganj, Shravasti, Bahraich, and seven others. Each border district houses more than 500 of such madrasas.
'Unable to Disclose Donor Information'
The report further says that when these madrasas were asked for income and expenditure details, they failed to provide them, raising suspicions that the funding was amassed through a conspiracy and sent for construction via hawala transactions. Most madrasas claimed construction was done with donated funds, yet they couldn't disclose donor identities. Out of the total 23,000 madrasas investigated, only 5,000 had temporary recognition documents.
'SIT Suspects Funding of 100 Crore'
Initially, the SIT had expressed concerns over approximately 100 crore rupees in funding for madrasas in border areas, prompting the UP government to instruct an investigation of all madrasas.
'Complaints of Foreign Funding Received'
Prior to this, the Yogi government had surveyed madrasas in the state, revealing 16,513 recognized madrasas and another 8,500 unrecognized ones. This led to allegations of foreign funding misuse by madrasas, which initiated the formation of the SIT for a thorough examination.
'Special Focus on Madrasas Adjacent to the Nepal Border'
Large numbers of unrecognized madrasas have been found in areas near the Nepal border, a sensitive region. Hence, the SIT team had a special focus on these educational institutes. These madrasas had faced significant complaints during surveys, with allegations of misusing foreign funding. Since then, these madrasas have been under government scrutiny.
