Spokespersons: Dr. Syded Naseer Hussain & Ms. Divya Madernna: Addressing a press conference, Congress General Secretary in charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, and Party National Secretary Divvya Madernna alleged that the ruling party was turning educational institutions into instruments of political and communal agendas.

He accused the BJP-led government of deliberately destroying and communalising the country’s education system, citing incidents ranging from the demolition of a school in Madhya Pradesh to the closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir.

Raising the Betul issue, Dr Hussain said a school built by Abdul Naeem at a personal cost of about Rs 20–22 lakh for local children was bulldozed despite having all necessary permissions. He alleged that rumours were spread that a madrasa was being run there merely because the founder was a Muslim, and that the school was demolished without any notice, inquiry or hearing.

On Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, Hussain said students were admitted on merit through NEET and that 42 of the 50 selected students were Muslims due to the demographic composition of the area, and also because the students preferred a college closer to their homes.

The Congress leader also cited other incidents, including the poisoning of a school water tank in Belagavi, Karnataka, to defame a Muslim headmaster, in which 12 children fell ill. He also referred to the disruption of Christmas celebrations at St Mary’s School in Assam’s Nalbari district on December 24, 2025. He further alleged pressure in Uttar Pradesh to cancel Christmas holiday and celebrations.

Dr Hussain said that educational institutions were being “openly saffronised” and the institutions promoting critical thinking and a scientific approach were being attacked in multiple ways.

Divvya Madernna alleged that the BJP was converting the “sacred space of education into a political arena” and attempting to suppress critical thinking among the youth. Saturday January 17, 2026