West Bengal Shuts Down 252 Madrasas After Review, Sends Show-Cause Notice To 100 More

The West Bengal government has issued closure notices to 252 madrasas and show-cause notices to another 100 as part of a statewide verification drive. Minority Affairs Minister Khudiram Tudu said the institutions facing notices must produce valid authorisation or face closure. The survey, ordered in June, examined madrasa management, student enrolment, funding sources and registration status across Kolkata and 22 districts. Officials said 2,132 madrasas currently have valid approval, while 2,396 are unapproved. The action has triggered a political row, with BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul defending the move, citing concerns over radicalisation and alleged anti-national activities. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh opposed the remarks, saying madrasas are an education system and should not be linked to terrorist allegations.