U.P. ATS seeks particulars on madrassas; opposition alleges worry mongering

The Uttar Pradesh police’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) not too long ago made inquiries with the administration in Prayagraj for data on madrassas. They have been requested to offer particulars on college students, clerics engaged as lecturers, administration and different workers.

A letter from the Prayagraj discipline unit dated November 15 has surfaced, and it’s assumed related letters could have been despatched to different districts as properly. In the letter, written to the District Minority Welfare Officer of a number of districts within the Prayagraj area, the ATS mentioned in line with instructions from the ATS headquarters, data on these establishments is being sought. The letter was written to minority welfare officers in Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Banda, Hamirpur, Chitrakoot and Mahoba, asking for full lists of scholars and clerics related to madrassas of their areas.

Politicise safety

The transfer follows the bomb assault in Delhi, with companies increasing the scope of safety checks. The inquiry has been criticised by opposition events who allege makes an attempt are being made to politicise safety and painting each Muslim as a suspect. They requested the companies to keep away from changing into a device for worry mongering.

“An try is being made to politicise the safety equipment, and see each Muslim via the prism of suspicion. Various inquires on madrassas in U.P. have been performed and all the required data are with the federal government and companies. From time to time the madrassa system is put underneath a lens, however ATS looking for full particulars is a bit alarming as it’s a devoted company for counter terrorism. Whatever the company’s suspicion, the arduous reality is that ATS has didn’t convict the accused typically associated to terrorism in Indian courts. We imagine nationwide safety is paramount, however the authorities ought to subject a white paper on what logical conclusion instances taken up by the ATS reached. We really feel worry mongering within the guise of safety checks is avoidable,” mentioned Shahnawaz Alam, National Secretary, Congress.

“The entire nation is united towards terrorism. But this pointless transfer to deploy essentially the most elite drive, the ATS, to research madrassas, their college students and instructing workers will create chaos; no company ought to change into a political device,” mentioned Ameeque Jamei, spokesperson for the SP.