BJP links madrasa education in Assam’s 'char' areas to extremist models in Bangladesh, Pakistan

The Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on December 22, made a series of controversial claims linking madrasa education in Assam’s char areas with what it described as extremist models in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Addressing the media at the State BJP headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, BJP state spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sarmah alleged that certain madrasas operating in Assam’s char and chapori regions (riverine areas of the river Brahmaputra) follow a curriculum similar to Qawmi madrasas in Bangladesh and institutions linked to extremist networks in Pakistan. He claimed such institutions promote religious fanaticism and undermine social harmony.

Sarmah further alleged that what he termed the “Miya Muslim mindset” prioritises religion over language or culture, and linked past incidents of violence during the Assam Movement with recent incidents reported from Bangladesh. Referring to international media reports, he claimed that organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami and Qawmi madrasas have played a role in radicalisation in the neighbouring country.

The BJP spokesperson also claimed that population growth was being used to gain political dominance, followed by alleged atrocities against people of other faiths. He asserted that Bangladesh, despite having a common language and culture, has witnessed religious violence due to what he described as extremist ideologies.

During the press briefing, BJP panelists Priyanka Tamuli and Geetartha Bora were also present.

The remarks are likely to trigger sharp political reactions, with opposition parties expected to counter the BJP’s assertions, calling for restraint and communal harmony in the state.