Maharashtra government using madrassa issue to divert attention from graft: Congress

Mumbai: Hitting out at the BJP-led Maharashtra government for derecognising madrassas as "non-schools", MPCC chief Ashok Chavan on Friday said an unnecessary controversy has been created to deflect attention from allegations of corruption faced by ministers. Chavan also claimed that in view of the "unstable" political situation, the government could fall any time.

Addressing a press conference, the Congress leader said the state government's decision was contradictory to the HRD Ministry's directive that national school curriculum cannot be imposed on madrassas and vedic education schools.

"Four per cent of the community go for madrassa education and had done well in their chosen fields. The state government's decision has created fear in the minority affairs department. The aim is to dilute article 29 and 30 of the Constitution and an indirect signal to such institutions," the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President charged.

He said that if the intention of the government was welfare of the madrassas and imparting quality education, the decision could have been taken in consultation with all the stakeholders. Chavan felt the prevailing political situation is unstable in view of the allegations of corruption against BJP ministers.

"The government can fall any time," he said. When asked about the controversy over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delaying an international flight while flying to USA, Chavan said, "It is the DGCA report, which says so. If Fadnavis wants to file a criminal defamation, he should do that against Air India."

Fadnavis had dubbed the reports as misleading and said that on returning home he would initiate criminal defamation proceedings in the matter.