New Delhi: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo expressed deep concerns on Sunday regarding the “radical” curriculum being taught in government-funded madrasas in Bihar. In a post on X, Kanoongo said that specific books, such as “Talimul Islam,” are reportedly being used in these institutions, which allegedly refer to non-Muslims as ‘Kafirs’ (infidels).
He further voiced concern about the reported enrollment of Hindu children in these madrasas and accused the Bihar government of concealing official data on the number of such students. Kanoongo said that the Bihar Madrasa Board claimed the curriculum was developed with the involvement of UNICEF India, which he criticised as the “height of appeasement” by both organisations. “It is not UNICEF’s job to create radical curriculum using money received as donations and grants from governments in the name of child protection,” the NCPCR chief posted in Hindi.
Kanoongo alleges misuse of funds
He said that using funds for activities beyond the scope of the Right to Education (RTE) Act constitutes a violation of both the Indian Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Kanoongo urged the United Nations in India to investigate the matter and insisted that the global body should closely monitor the situation. A response from UNICEF on the matter is still awaited.
Madrasa curriculum under probe
He also said that some of the books included in the madrasa curriculum are published in Pakistan, with ongoing research currently examining the content of these texts. “Madrasa is not a place for basic education of children in any form. Children should study in school, and Hindu children should not be in Madrasas at all. The Madrasa Board should be dissolved,” Kanoongo said.
