By RINA,
New Delhi: Though Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee’s budget has not created any common euphoria in the country, it has certainly pleased madrasa students for giving them railways concessions at par with college students. The move is also admired by community leaders.
Hailing railway minister’s initiative, the Mohtamim of Darul Uloom Wakf Deoband Maulana Mohammad Salim Qasimi said, “This is a welcome news that the Government of India is extending its facilities to Madrasa students at par with the students of contemporary educational institutions.” Besides free season tickets for second class travel between Madrasa and hometown, Madrasa students shall also be entitled to concessions given to other students.
Maulana Salim Qasimi further clarified, “We are not in favour of accepting any government grant for Madrasa but there is no impediment in it if government helps the students outside the institution.” The demand had been reiterated in many quarters for a number of years.
In a written communication, national general secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party Shahid Siddiqui informed, “I had raised the issue in the Parliament but erstwhile railway minister Lalu Prasad rejected the demand. Manta Baner Ji has fulfilled a long standing demand.”
Welcoming the announcement, Maulana Mohammad Sufyan Qasimi said, “It will help some of the students but unless Deoband railway station is granted special status, the proposal shall not benefit Madrasa students in any big way.” He also demanded double track for Deoband-Delhi trains and its electrification.