Actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty, who is set to serve as Cultural Advisor in the Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government, has publicly backed the administration's crackdown on unaided and unrecognised madrasas across the state, citing national security as a primary concern. His remarks came a day after the Bengal government issued closure notices to 252 unapproved madrasas and show-cause notices to 100 others, as part of a broader review of Islamic educational institutions.

What Mithun Chakraborty Said

Speaking on the matter, Chakraborty stated: 'When we talk about madrasas, there must be someone behind them who is funding and running them. Whether that money is being used for the right purpose or the wrong purpose will become clear now. It is very important for the country's security that we pay close attention to this matter and examine it very strictly.'

He further argued that the issue had not been taken seriously under previous dispensations and could no longer be ignored given its implications for national security. His comments signal that the new administration intends to make funding scrutiny of minority institutions a cornerstone of its governance approach in the state.

Scale and Geography of the Crackdown

According to reports, the majority of the 252 madrasas facing closure belong to the Khariji sect. District-wise, at least 44 are located in Malda, 37 in Uttar Dinajpur, 32 in South 24 Parganas, and 25 each in Nadia and Murshidabad. The show-caused institutions must produce valid authorisation or face shutdown, according to Minority Affairs Minister Khudiram Tudu.

A state-wide survey was conducted by the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department across Kolkata and 22 other districts, examining madrasa management systems, student organisation enrolment, funding sources, and registration status.

BJP Backs Government Action

Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya also defended the government's move, asserting that the rise in radicalisation in border areas was an alarming signal and that it was the state government's responsibility to stop anti-national activities allegedly taking place in the context of madrasa education. The BJP has long flagged concerns about funding transparency in unregistered religious institutions, particularly in border districts.

Context and Background

West Bengal's madrasa landscape has been a recurring flashpoint in state politics. The previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had been accused by the opposition of overlooking regulatory oversight of unregistered institutions, a charge the TMC denied. The current administration's decision to formally survey and issue notices across 23 districts marks a significant policy departure.

Notably, this is among the first major policy interventions by the incoming Adhikari-led dispensation on minority education — and Chakraborty's endorsement, given his national profile, adds political weight to what would otherwise be a state-level administrative action. All eyes now remain on whether the show-caused madrasas can produce the required documentation, and whether the closures will withstand any legal challenges.