Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Wednesday, said illegal madrasas and institutions in the state that teach lessons of bigotry will be reviewed. “Bigotry and extremism will not be tolerated,” he tweeted.
Chouhan’s tweet came after he held a law and order review meeting virtually from his residence office on Wednesday morning.
During the meeting, the chief minister also directed officials to watch out the social media space for any misleading or provocative comments that could lead to a breach of peace in the state, Home Minister Narottam Mishra told media persons after the meeting. Mishra said the CM also asked officials to keep an eye on organisations such as Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Popular Front of India (PFI), especially in the wake of upcoming festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr and Parashuram Jayanti.
“The chief minister directed action on illegal activities like adulteration, chit fund, and that ahaatas (space for liquor consumption attached to liquor shops) should be closed down as directed, and ensure that no mafia or organised crime could flourish in the state,” Mishra said.
After the meeting, the CM told the media that the state has decided to bring in a new gambling law to control online gambling. “Online gambling is a big problem. The present Gambling Act in Madhya Pradesh is from 1876 and it does not have any provision against online gambling. We have decided that Madhya Pradesh Gambling Act 2023 will be made in place of the present Gambling Act,” the CM said.
Congress, netizens question Madrasa review decision
Chouhan’s tweet on the review of madrasas got unusual traction and garnered more than 5.8 lakh views and over 1,100 comments till the filing of this report, with many users questioning the decision during the year of assembly polls and after BJP being 18 years in power in Madhya Pradesh.
It was also retweeted more than 2,300 times and got over 7,200 likes. Normally, Chouhan’s tweets get between 10,000 and 40,000 views, below 1,000 likes and retweets and below 100 comments.
Congress also attacked the CM on the issue. Media department chief of the Congress, K.K. Mishra, tweeted to say that CM took 18 years to understand the issue and asked whether this meant that government intelligence failed? He further said “CM Sir, you call yourself a man of development. Please ask for votes on development, why temple, mosque, madrasa, cemetery, crematorium?”
In another tweet, Mishra observed the CM said during the law and order meeting that bigotry and extremism will not be tolerated. “Does this mean strict action against the minister Usha Thakur, MP Pragya Singh Thakur, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, former minister Jaibhansingh Pawaiya, and ‘Narela Naresh’ (minister Vishvas Sarang)?” The aforementioned BJP leaders are known to often make comments against minorities.
