Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Owaisi Slams UP Deputy CM's Remarks on Madrasas
Asaduddin Owaisi is a leader in India who speaks for a group called AIMIM.
Keshav Prasad Maurya is the Deputy Chief Minister of a big state called Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Maurya said some unkind things about madrasas, which are Islamic schools.
Mr. Owaisi thought those words were unfair and dividing people.
He said madrasas are protected by the Indian Constitution.
He also said madrasas helped India fight for freedom from British rule.
He reminded people that India's first President, Rajendra Prasad, studied in a madrasa.
He also said Nathuram Godse, whom he called the first terrorist of independent India, never studied in a madrasa.
Mr. Owaisi believes the remarks were made to spread hatred for political gain.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's remarks on madrasas 'divisive and unconstitutional'.
In a post on X, Owaisi cited Article 30 of the Constitution, which grants minority communities the right to establish and run their own educational institutions.
Owaisi said madrasas were centres of conspiracies against the British and the freedom struggle, producing 'countless mujahideen of independence'.
He mocked Maurya's position, saying his chair is 'just a stool' and that those with stools 'spew venom to maintain their political relevance'.
He noted that Nathuram Godse, whom he called the first terrorist of independent India, was not educated in a madrasa, while Rajendra Prasad, Munshi Premchand and Raja Ram Mohan Roy were.
- Who
- Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP, who criticised Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
- What
- Owaisi called Maurya's comments on madrasas 'divisive and unconstitutional' and defended madrasas by citing Article 30 and their role in India's independence movement.
- When
- Not specified in the article; the exchange took place in a post on X.
- Where
- Reported from Hyderabad; the controversy concerns Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Owaisi accused the BJP of weaponising hatred for political advantage and said Maurya attacks madrasas to stay politically relevant.
Madrasa supporters
Madrasa critics
Madrasas and Indian history
Madrasa supporters
Madrasas were centres of conspiracies against the British and the struggle for freedom, producing 'countless mujahideen of independence'.
Madrasa critics
Maurya's original remarks are not quoted in the articles; he criticised madrasas, prompting Owaisi's rebuttal.
Constitutional protection
Madrasa supporters
Article 30 of the Constitution grants every minority community the right to establish and run its own educational institutions, making attacks on madrasas unconstitutional.
Madrasa critics
The articles do not include Maurya's or the BJP's response to the Article 30 argument.
Political motive
Madrasa supporters
The BJP is weaponising hatred for political advantage, and Maurya 'spews venom' to maintain his political relevance.
Madrasa critics
The articles provide only Owaisi's account; Maurya's justification for his remarks is not included.
- Speaker
- Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP
- Criticism target
- Keshav Prasad Maurya, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister
- Owaisi's characterisation
- "Divisive and unconstitutional"
- Constitutional basis cited
- Article 30
- Platform
- Post on X
- Historical figures cited as madrasa-educated
- Rajendra Prasad, Munshi Premchand, Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Comparison figure
- Nathuram Godse, called the 'first terrorist of independent India'
- Reported from
- Hyderabad
