Nitish Kumar Addresses Madarsa Teachers, Manages Uproar Over Unpaid Salaries

An event organized by the Bihar State Madarsa Education Board in Patna saw Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in attendance. The occasion was the centenary celebration of the Madarsa Board, held at Gyan Bhawan. During the event, a group of participants attempted to hand papers to the Chief Minister, a moment captured in a video showing individuals extending documents towards him, while police officers attempted to intervene. The event was marked by significant unrest, with teachers expressing their discontent after the Chief Minister’s address. Muslim madarsa teachers protested over grants. The teachers stated that in 2011, Nitish Kumar had promised salaries to 2459 plus madarsas, of which 1646 remained. Slogans were raised during the event, reflecting the teachers’ frustration. A large number of people from the minority community had gathered for the dialogue. Many teachers were present, having been informed that Nitish Kumar would make a significant announcement regarding their honorarium. However, the Chief Minister’s speech did not include any such announcement, leading to an uproar. The agitated teachers, who were not receiving government aid, voiced their grievances through slogans and protests. Nitish Kumar personally received a paper from some individuals but was escorted from the venue due to the escalating discontent. The teachers expressed that they had been invited with the understanding that announcements concerning their institutions would be made, yet no such declarations were forthcoming. The Chief Minister highlighted the initiatives undertaken by his government for the Muslim community, emphasizing the progress made since the formation of the NDA government in 2005. Following his speech, the teachers presented documents and engaged in protests. The Bihar State Madarsa Education Board was established in 1922, gaining autonomy in 1981 with the enactment of a law. Currently, Bihar has 1942 aided and approximately 2430 unaided madarsas.