KOLKATA: Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the madrasa education system, alleging that some institutions have become “factories for producing ‘jihadis'” and calling for strict government regulation and sweeping reforms to curb religious extremism.Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Nasreen alleged that several madrasas operate without adequate government oversight and claimed that hatred against non-Muslims was taught in some institutions.“In many cases, militants are nurtured in madrasas. Some madrasas have become factories for producing ‘jihadis’. There are instances of child abuse in such institutions. In my opinion, madrasas should not exist. Incidents of rapes are reported,” she alleged.She said punishment alone would not solve the problem and stressed the need for reforms in the education system.Nasreen further alleged that governments had failed to adequately regulate madrasas because of political considerations.“In most cases, there is no effective government control over these madrasas. Every government compromises with religious fundamentalists for votes. That is why ‘jihadis’ are produced in such institutions. There must be government regulation of all madrasas and the education system needs to be reformed,” she said.The author also criticised the growing influence of religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh, alleging that extremist forces were gaining ground.“Now we have Jamaat-e-Islami as an opposition party. It is against women’s equality, and they want Sharia rule. If that happens, no minority will survive. Bangladesh is moving towards darkness. No one is trying to civilise Bangladesh. The government is only trying to remain in power,” she said.Reiterating her long-held criticism of religious orthodoxy, Nasreen said she opposed any religion that discriminated against women.“I oppose any religion that treats women as sexual slaves. Such criticism is necessary because there can be no reform without criticism. I was driven out of my country because I criticised religion,” she said.Nasreen, who has been living in exile since leaving Bangladesh in 1994 after receiving death threats from radical groups over her writings, was in Kolkata after nearly 19 years. She had left the city in 2007 following protests over her book Dwikhandito.(With PTI inputs)
