BJP defends action against illegal madarsas, calls it crucial to preserve State’s identity
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party has defended the ongoing action against illegal religious encroachments and madarsas in Uttarakhand, saying that these measures are necessary to preserve the State’s demographic structure and cultural identity.
Addressing media queries at the party headquarters, the State BJP media in-charge, Manveer Singh Chauhan said that under the pretext of religious education, the future of children cannot be compromised with. He said that any attempt to alter the State’s demographic composition through illegal occupation will not be tolerated.
He said that similar actions have been taken in the past on chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directives, which resulted in the government reclaiming over 6,000 acres of land. According to him, several illegal mosques and madarsas in Dehradun and other areas have been identified and are facing government action.
Chauhan claimed that the BJP has always supported such measures and will continue to advocate for them. He accused the opposition, particularly the Congress, of using madarsas and illegal religious structures for electoral gains. He claimed that while some political groups project themselves as protectors of Uttarakhand’s identity, they have ignored violations of legal norms in these institutions. He said that the madarsas under scrutiny are operating without adhering to regulations and are compromising the education of students.
He stated that the party does not view this as a political issue but rather as a matter of cultural preservation. The BJP prioritises the peaceful development of the State and the country and any attempts to disrupt harmony will be strongly opposed by the party, he added.
