National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo has highlighted complaints regarding fraudulent teacher appointments in several madrasas in Uttar Pradesh. He also raised issues about aided madrasas allegedly favoring Hindu children. This reaction follows a disagreement between two judges of the Allahabad High Court during a hearing on an NHRC order for an inquiry into financial mismanagement and infrastructure issues in numerous madrasas in the state.
Kanoongo stated that the NHRC had received complaints about 500 madrasas from the Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Board. He emphasized the Commission’s approach of seeking reports from relevant government bodies on such matters. The complaints primarily revolved around children’s education rights, according to him.
Accusing madrasas of making fraudulent appointments, Kanoongo highlighted instances where unqualified individuals were hired as teachers during the lockdown, compromising students’ rights. He also pointed out cases where multiple family members were employed as teachers in the same madrasas, indicating potential irregularities.
Furthermore, Kanoongo noted instances where a single individual held managerial positions in multiple madrasas while also being appointed as a teacher in another, labeling such practices as fraudulent. He also mentioned reports of Hindu students being enrolled in state-aided madrasas in Uttar Pradesh.
Kanoongo stressed the importance of upholding rights without religious bias, emphasizing that equal rights apply to all citizens regardless of their faith. He reiterated the NHRC’s commitment to advocating for the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their religious background.
