Patna: Teachers at a Bihar madrasa education event staged a protest in front of chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday, accusing the government of failing to deliver on long-standing promises of financial support.
The incident took place during the centenary celebrations of the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board in Patna, where CM Nitish addressed an audience of thousands of teachers, students and community representatives. Tensions escalated after the chief minister’s speech, when teachers began waving pamphlets and demanding action on unpaid salaries and unfulfilled commitments.
One teacher said: “In 2011, Nitish Kumar promised to provide salaries to 2,459 madrasas. Only 1,659 remain, and for so many years we have been on the verge of starvation. We were told an announcement would be made today, but nothing happened.”
Teachers attempted to submit a memorandum during the programme, prompting CM Nitish to intervene and assure them that grievances would be addressed. “If you have any problem, tell us, it will be resolved,” he said.
CM Nitish used his address to highlight his government’s record on minority welfare, contrasting it with previous administrations. “No work was done for Muslims before 2005,” he said, citing schemes to fence graveyards, provide support to women abandoned by their husbands, and increase pensions. He also urged the community not to abandon women after marriage, saying: “Never do this to a girl. They face a lot of problems.”
Some participants raised concerns over Urdu education in the state. Shaheen Raza, who had travelled from Vaishali, alleged that unqualified teachers were being appointed in Urdu schools and called for reforms.
The Bihar State Madrasa Education Board, established in 1922, oversees nearly 4,400 madrasas across the state, offering courses from primary to higher levels. In recent years, it has introduced modern subjects and digital learning initiatives.
The centenary event, however, carried significance beyond education. With state assembly elections approaching, political analysts said the gathering was part of a broader attempt by Kumar and his Janata Dal (United) to shore up support among Muslim voters, a community whose discontent has been growing in recent months.
