The BJP-led West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrasas and issued show-cause notices to another 100 following a statewide survey that found thousands of Islamic educational institutions operating without required government approval, according to Maktoob and NDTV.

The survey, conducted by the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department across Kolkata and 22 districts, examined madrasa management, student enrolment, teachers, infrastructure, funding sources and registration status.

Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Minister Kshudiram Tudu said to the media that 2,132 madrasas were operating with valid approval, while 2,396 were found to be functioning without permission from the relevant government board or authority. The 100 institutions served show-cause notices will have to provide valid authorisation or face closure, he said.

Malda recorded the highest number of closures, with 45 madrasas ordered shut, followed by Uttar Dinajpur with 37. South 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad each recorded 25 closures.

The decision has triggered a political dispute in the state, with BJP leaders defending the crackdown by alleging that some unrecognised madrasas were linked to radicalisation and anti-national activities. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said the government had a responsibility to prevent such activities, particularly in border areas.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul also defended the move, alleging that Bangladesh-based terrorists had previously used some non-affiliated madrasas as shelters and arguing that the education system needed to be streamlined.

Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh criticised the rhetoric surrounding the closures, saying madrasas were part of the education system and should not be portrayed as centres of terrorism. He argued that genuine institutions should not be targeted collectively.

TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta said the party would support action against fake madrasas involved in illegal activities or misuse of public funds, but warned that it would oppose closures based solely on religious identity.

The West Bengal government has said the survey was aimed at establishing accurate district-wise data on madrasa education, improving educational planning and child-welfare measures, and identifying irregularities.