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| India-Pakistan |
| A mindset issue |
| 2015-03-15 |
| [DAWN] MADRESSAHS have of late been back in the limelight, for discussion of what they produce and how, ever since a feeble expression of intent by the government to regulate them became part of the National Action Plan. (Some of the latest reports suggest the government has reneged on its plan now.) While a few sane voices have appreciated the state's concern, suddenly the managing stakeholders of madressahs have come alive in defence of their 'estates'. The various wafaqs and their political patrons are all on their feet to protect their jealously guarded domains that bring them so much clout and even more largesse from within and without the country. Op-ed pieces are being articulated regularly and news hounds have been busy conveying the angst of the madressah managers. Their patron institutions have taken affront to possible intrusion by the state into their protected privacy. Since madressahs provide the doctrinaire troops protecting the religious political parties their visible muscle, such parties are averse to any neutral, intellectual examination of their activities. Madressah curriculums are defended and the addition of computer literacy and English to their courses is offered as evidence of their 'modernisation'. |
| Posted by:Fred |