The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

The NCPCR’s Move on Madrasas and the Alienation of Muslims in India

Introduction

• The recent recommendation by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to halt government funding for non-compliant madrasas has stirred widespread concern.
• While the Supreme Court has stayed this move, the apprehension among minority communities and secular proponents remains.
• This episode is more than a policy debate; it reflects broader ideological and social tensions within the nation.

NCPCR’s Ideological Standpoint and Concerns

• The NCPCR’s recommendation appears influenced by ideological perspectives like those in M.S. Golwalkar’s Bunch of Thoughts, which suggests a divisive stance on religious minorities.
• This approach raises concerns, even within political allies like the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which has opposed this recommendation.
• Many critics argue that such moves only deepen the rift between communities and compromise India’s pluralistic spirit.

Legal and Legislative Background

• The NCPCR directive, issued under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, calls for financial scrutiny of madrasas and an end to government support for those not meeting Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 standards.
• While the Act aims to protect child rights, critics contend that the NCPCR’s approach overlooks pressing issues like child trafficking and child labor in various sectors.
• The selective focus on madrasas has led some to question the commission’s broader objectives and the impartiality of its enforcement.

Historical and Educational Context of Madrasas

• The term madrasa simply means school in Arabic, historically denoting institutions providing both secular and religious education.
• Indian madrasas have long served as centers of learning for communities beyond Muslims, a tradition dating back to the Delhi Sultanate and promoted by rulers like Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Notable personalities, including Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Rajendra Prasad, received early education in madrasas.
• This background showcases a long-standing tradition of educational inclusivity that conflicts with today’s narrow interpretations and Islamophobic narratives.

Education Practices in Indian Society

• Religious schools like madrasas and Christian mission schools have historically coexisted, promoting learning across community lines.
• In Kerala, a state recognized for its exemplary education system, madrasas have offered educational access without substantial government funding, despite misinformation suggesting otherwise.
• The welfare funds supporting madrasa teachers stem from social justice policies rather than religious favoritism, reflecting a commitment to fair treatment across educational systems.

Constitutional Rights and Social Justice

• Freedom of religion is a constitutional right enshrined in Article 25, allowing every Indian citizen to freely practice their faith.
• The government is empowered to regulate institutions only to prevent illegal activities or threats to national security.
• NCPCR’s focus on madrasas, however, seems to target religious minorities disproportionately, fueling a sense of alienation.
• Such measures contradict the ethos of the Child Rights Act and go against the principle of justice that should define national policy.

Path Forward: Reinforcing Pluralism

• The current situation underscores the need for secular values in India’s education system to foster unity in diversity.
• Leaders across religious and social spectrums must promote understanding and tolerance, recognizing the pluralistic heritage of the country.
• Icons like Sree Narayana Guru advocated unity across faiths, emphasizing that the essence of all religions is similar.
• This philosophy can help counter divisive ideologies and build an inclusive future.

Conclusion

• NCPCR’s approach threatens to alienate minorities further, amplifying a sense of insecurity among them.
• In a socio-political climate already strained by aggressive majoritarianism, the NCPCR’s actions risk sowing discord and eroding trust in statutory bodies.
• To uphold India’s constitutional values and social fabric, the NCPCR and other statutory commissions should step back from divisive moves and work towards reinforcing India’s pluralistic ethos.

 

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

The Gaza War and Global South’s Divided Response

Overview

• The escalating conflict in Gaza, punctuated by the October 16, 2024 killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces, highlights both Israel’s immediate tactical gains and the enduring complexities of the region’s political landscape.
• The event underscores Israel’s kinetic approach, aiming to neutralize Hamas and Hezbollah leadership, yet raises the ongoing question of sustainable peace, particularly as civilian tolls mount in Gaza and Lebanon.

Israel’s Strategic Goals and U.S. Involvement

• Israel’s primary objectives focus on the dismantling of Hamas and Hezbollah leadership.
• Meanwhile, the U.S., preoccupied with its domestic election landscape, has limited its influence in advancing a ceasefire, leaving other major players like China and India to consider alternative approaches.

Fragmented Responses in the Global South

• The Global South’s response to the crisis remains fragmented.
• South Africa, drawing from its anti-apartheid legacy, filed a case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the International Court of Justice in 2023.
• However, the broader alliances within this bloc are strained.
• Israel’s actions have eroded its diplomatic goodwill in many Global South countries, and while both China and India advocate for a diplomatic resolution, their approaches reflect self-interest rather than a unified stance.

China and India’s Divergent Stances

• China and India’s distinct approaches further underscore the fractured stance within the Global South.
• China has aligned itself with Arab nations, avoiding explicit condemnation of Hamas to maintain its diplomatic engagement opportunities.
• This tactic reflects China’s attempt to sustain its mediation role, as demonstrated by its successful Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement in recent years.
• China’s pro-Palestinian stance is also evident in its hosting of Palestinian factions in July 2024, though recent changes in Hamas leadership could affect these initiatives.
• Through BRICS and other multilateral formats, China has positioned itself as a Global South representative but largely in pursuit of its own strategic interests.
• India, by contrast, maintains a balanced position, seen as favoring Israel through tacit support in counter-terrorism while still advocating a two-state solution.
• India’s consistent stance reflects its national interests, especially its concern over terrorism, a perspective shaped by historical events like the 1999 IC814 hijacking incident, which shares parallels with Israel’s security challenges.

Conclusion

• The Gaza war reveals the weakening influence of the U.S. as a global peace mediator, alongside significant rifts within the Global South.
• While the concept of a unified Global South response remains appealing in theory, it is impeded by political, ideological, and governance differences.
• In the absence of a true collective will and leverage, individual nations within the Global South prioritize national interests over cohesive peace-building efforts, signaling the limitations of multilateral forums like BRICS in addressing complex conflicts like Gaza.