Sakshi Maharaj controversy: Congress asks where's the proof that Madrasas promote terror?

New Delhi, Sept 15: A day after courting controversy, the BJP MP from Unnao, Sakhi Maharaj on Monday was stumped by a volley of questions from Congress.

"The Muslim leaders of the BJP, who are also the members of the minority community, must reply if they agree with their colleagues that terrorism is taught in madrasas," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari was quoted as saying in an India Today report.

Another senior Congress leader and the son of the former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Sandeep Dikshit said, "To relate madrasas to anti-national activities, I don't see the test of evidence. Where's the evidence? On the one hand, PM Modi talks of modernizing madrasas and on the other, leaders make such statements to appease the Hindus."

On Sunday, Sakshi Maharaj's remarks had snowballed into a major controversy when he said, "Education of terrorism is being given in madrassas. They (madrassas)... are making them terrorists and jihadis....It is not in national interest."

"Tell me about one madrassa where tricolour is hoisted even on August 15 and January 26," he told reporters in Nademau in Kannauj district.

"Most of our schools do not take the aid but it is being given to madrassas having no connection with nationalism," he further said.

Earlier, during a programme in Etah on September 7, Sakshi had reportedly labelled madrassas as "hub of terror" and alleged that 'love jihad' prospers through such institutions.

OneIndia News