Smriti Irani objects to Shiv Sena MP's slur against madarsas

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday objected to a Shiv Sena member’s remark that youth were being radicalised at “some” of the Madarsas and dubbed it as “absolutely wrong”.

She urged Shiv Sena leader Shrirang Appa Barne not to make such “sweeping allegation” against the educational institutions, suggesting that he should bring to the knowledge of the government any “specific information”.

This came during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

“I want to make a humble request that such allegations should not be levelled against the educational institutions. It is absolutely wrong to say that country’s educational institutions are radicalising our youth. They are rather making efforts to bless our students with knowledge so that they can contribute to the progress of the country,” Irani said.

She was replying to an oral question asked by Barne on the issue of radicalisation of students.

The Shiv Sena MP wanted the government to give details of the steps being taken to stop radicalisation of students at “many of those institutions being run in the name of Madarsas”.

“I would only say that if the member has any specific information on what he is saying, he can let us know,” the HRD Minister said in her reply, adding, “I think it is very necessary to underline before this House that today’s youth are a generation of patriots. They want to do something for this country.” 

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also objected to Barne’s allegation against Madarsas, even as many Opposition members protested.

Meanwhile, BJP member Harish Chandra Meena endorsed the Shiv Sena member’s view saying it was a serious issue that the country’s educated youth were getting misguided and indulging in anti-national activities.

The Speaker, however, did not allow the debate to be stretched.  She expressed her displeasure against “dragging entire youth.”

Another BJP member Nishikant Dubey also drew a snub from the Lok Sabha Speaker after he, while asking a question, said that “government of India” should be "ashamed" of the low literacy levels in the country.

"First, you should ask a question quickly. And when you say ‘it is shame for India’, all of us come in it. You should be careful when you speak," Mahajan told Dubey, while the latter was quick to clarify that it was not the fault of the present dispensation but that of the previous United Progressive Alliance regime.

Mahajan urged the members to speak with responsibility on social issues such as education.

“We represent the people. Please be careful while asking a question or making a reply," the Speaker said.