The Indian State and the Madrasa
Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition I ' assumed office at the Centre in India, there has been a spate of attacks on Muslim madrasas (religious schools), mosques and dargahs, in various parts of the country. Senior Hindutva leaders, within and outside the government, have issued statements alleging that the Pakistan secret service agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has infiltrated numerous madrasas all over the country, particularly in districts along the country's borders with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. A detailed report of the Indian intelligence agencies claims that some of these madrasas are training grounds for 1St spies and anti-Indian 'terrorists'. The report goes on to suggest that the muftis, maulvis and imams in these religious schools may have been replaced by what it calls "highly fanatic agents of ISI", secretly working for the break-up of India. In May 2001, a ministerial group for the "reform of internal security" headed by Home Minister L.K. Advani, released a 137-page report that recommended, among other things, a close scrutiny of madrasas.
There is some evidence that the political rhetoric and high level recommendations are actually being translated into practice by the executive organs of the state. A recent report published in the Delhi-based Muslim fortnightly, Milli Gazette, quotes what it calls "a mischievous circular" issued by the Uttar Pradesh government that suggests that Hindutva elements are seriously preparing the ground for a "communal civil war" in the state. The circular, signed by Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, BB Bakhshi, has been issued to the state police as a guideline on how to keep a vigil on "NI activities". The circular says that 1St is "leaving no stone unturned" to disrupt life in the state, and is luring Muslim and Sikh youth "to involve them in subversive activities", besides also fanning anti-Hindu sentiments. The circular, reports the Milli Gazette, instructs the Station House Officer of every police station to "prepare a register of Muslim and Sikh families living in his respective area". In particular, a list of newly constructed madrasas and mosques should be kept and these are to be closely monitored.