Madrasa Survey Needed to Ensure Security and Educational Development: Agnimitra Paul

PTI, June 7, 2026, Siliguri: West Bengal cabinet minister Agnimitra Paul on Sunday defended the ongoing survey of madrasas, saying the exercise was necessary to ensure that the state does not become a "safe haven" for terrorists and infiltrators, while asserting that Muslim students should be brought into the mainstream through modern education.

Paul alleged that the entry of Rohingyas and infiltrators had been encouraged in the state during the last 15 years of Trinamool Congress regime and the preceding 34 years of Left Front rule.

"In the last 49 years, we have seen how Rohingyas and infiltrators were encouraged and brought to the state," she alleged.

The minister said the government wanted Muslim children to be part of the state's development journey and stressed the need for modern education in madrasas.

"We want Muslim children to be part of the journey that we are taking under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for development," Paul said.

"We want modern education to be given in madrasas. Muslim children, whether female or male, should become doctors, engineers, IAS officers, scientists and IFS officers. We want them to be part of this team that will take Bengal and India forward," she added.

Paul also launched a sharp attack on the opposition INDIA bloc, claiming that the alliance had lost relevance and its constituents were deeply divided.

"It doesn't really matter because right now, the TMC is fragmented into many pieces. We didn't know that TMC soon would become a 'Tukde Tukde Gang'," she alleged.

She also referred to the absence of other opposition leaders in the bloc.

"RJD chief Lalu Prasad is saying he is sick and will not go. Stalin is saying that the DMK will not participate. So who will form the INDIA alliance?" Paul asked.

"Where is INDIA alliance? It has already been discarded by 140 crore people of Bharat," she added.

Asked about the political future of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Paul said she did not want to speculate, but went on to allege that the Trinamool Congress had weakened under her leadership.

"The way TMC has fragmented, whether in Bengal or in parliamentary politics, it is very unfortunate," she said.

Drawing a comparison with the Mahabharat, Paul alleged, "Mamata Banerjee has proved himself to be Dhritarashtra. Like Dhritarashtra was the reason behind the Kauravas’ downfall because he blindly supported Duryodhana, here Banerjee blindly supported Abhishek Banerjee and is responsible for the downfall of the TMC."

During the day, Paul also held an administrative meeting in North Bengal.

She said discussions focused on women trafficking, child marriage, adolescent marriage, school dropouts, adolescent pregnancy and their root causes.