The Assam State Jamiat Ulama has decided to legally challenge Dispur’s decision to convert all government-run madrasas into regular schools from the 2021-22 academic session.

The state Jamiat decision was taken at a four-hour meeting held at the Garigaon madrasa here on Tuesday following Monday’s announcement by education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that the word “madrasa” will be removed from government-run madrasas along with theological courses from April 1, 2021. In effect, there will be no high madrasa exam from 2022. High madrasas are equivalent to high schools (Classes IX and X) and are under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam.

The state government will table a bill to this effect during the winter session of the Assembly from December 28.

Hafiz Bashir Ahmed Qasimi, general secretary of the state Jamiat, told The Telegraph that they will challenge the government’s decision if it brings in an ordinance or a new act. “At the same time we will also request the government to modernise madrasa education instead of shutting them down,” Qasimi said.

The Assam unit of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is an influential organisation of scholars playing a key role in the social and political life of the Muslims as well as the country.

On the contention of the minister that the government wants education to be secular, Qasimi said the Quran is not only about religion. “It is high standard literature. The madrasa syllabus can be modernised,” he said.

As part of the government decision, the State Madrassa Education Board, Assam, which looks after pre-senior madrasas, senior madrasas, Arabic colleges and title madrasas, will be also dissolved after declaration of results of the examinations conducted in 2021-22.

The state government has, however, made it clear that its decision will have no impact on private madrasas which can carry on with their activities.

A Jamiat delegation on Wednesday met chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and submitted a memorandum seeking a probe into allegations made against the Ajmal Trust about receiving funds from foreign agencies linked to terror groups.

“...If the Ajmal Foundation is indulging in any irregularities we invite you to install an inquiry to find the real truth... Such baseless allegations and fabricated allegations should not be allowed to spread, polluting the welfare activities being carried out by the Ajmal Foundation...,” the memorandum said.

It urged Sonowal, also the home minister, to stop “such propaganda and reactionary activities” that are creating a bitter atmosphere in the state.