Darul Uloom removes 'Bahishti Zewar' from its curriculum after NCPCR issues notice

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued notice to the District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP) of Saharanpur after receiving a complaint against fatwas issued by Darul Uloom Deoband. One of the fatwas referenced a book titled ‘Bahishti Zewar’ by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi. The complainant also provided excerpts from the book that is referenced in the fatwas uploaded on Darul Uloom Deoband’s website. Prima facie, the content presented in the complaint was against the provisions provided by law. The book contained content that legitimises sexual relations with minors, which is in violation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).Priyank Kanungo, Chairperson, NCPCR said, "The ADM (East) and SP (Rural), Saharanpur appeared for the hearing at the NCPCR office and submitted a report along with a copy of the curriculum followed by Darul Uloom Deoband in Madrasas. As per the report, a four-member committee was constituted to enquire into the matter. All the fatwas highlighted by the Commission have been removed from the website. Also, the book Bahishti Zewar has been removed from the curriculum. The matter is being further enquired by the Commission and a fresh set of information has been sought."Earlier, taking cognizance of the complaint u/s 13 (1) (j) of the CPCR Act, after pursuing the complaint and the enclosed content, it was observed that it is completely inappropriate for children and also violates the laws provided for the protection of children in the country. Such material referenced and used by Darul Uloom Deoband exposes people to a piece of completely misleading information, disregarding the position of law regarding the acts mentioned in the content, legitimising the actions, which if committed by that person would amount to a violation of provisions of law of the land.Providing such information to people is in the nature of abetment, which would instigate people to commit an offence, which is in contravention to the provisions laid down by law. Therefore, a notice was issued to DM and SSP Saharanpur on October 14 requesting them to thoroughly examine, and investigate the organization’s website and any such content be immediately removed.They were also requested to block access to the website until the content is removed and to provide the syllabus along with books and other learning material used for children in Madrasas to the Commission for examining the same.The NCPCR took action against this objectional content, which was being taught in Madarsas of Darul Uloom and now the book has been removed.

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Darul Uloom removes 'Bahishti Zewar' from its curriculum after NCPCR issues notice

NCPCR issued notice to the DM and SSP of Saharanpur after receiving a complaint against fatwas issued by Darul Uloom Deoband.

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