Welcoming the decision of granting financial aid to madrasas by the state government, Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote has suggested that the chief minister impose certain conditions on the Islamic seminaries benefiting from the government funds. The conditions suggested by Mr Raote include the compulsory singing of the national anthem and displaying photographs of national personalities and the maps of India and the state. These demands are expected to trigger further debate on the issue.
In a letter addressed to the CM, Mr Raote said, “While justifying the decision, the government has said that the objective of granting aid to the madrasas was to bring the students of these institutes into the mainstream and make them part of the national fabric. I have a few suggestions on those lines too.”
The Sena leader has further suggested that these schools should start their day with the national anthem and the pledge. “Independence Day, Republic Day and Maharashtra Day should also be celebrated in these madrasas,” he said.
Mr Raote further said “The teachers at the madrasas should give an undertaking that they would teach the Indian constitution and the history of the country’s freedom struggle.”