EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ESTABLISHED BY MUSLIMS IN INDIA BETWEEN 1986-2016

The study proposes to investigate the efforts of the Muslim community in the field of education in India during the period 1986 to 2016. This is the period post the Supreme Court Shah Bano verdict in 1985, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986 and up to 2016 when the country witnessed an intense debate over the triple talaaq issue. Other significant national developments of consequence for the Muslim community during this period included, implementation of the Mandal Commission Report on reservations for OBCs in 1990, demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, several major incidents of communal violence primarily aimed at the Muslim community and affecting states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra (South Asia Collective, 2016), the passing of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the Sachar Committee Report, 2006, the creation of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, 2006 and the Ranganath Mishra Report, 2007. The Institute of Objective studies was set up at the beginning of this period in 1986 and completed thirty years of dedicated service to the nation, Muslim community and other minorities in 2016.

The study will attempt to make a full assessment of the contribution of Muslims in the field of education during the period 1986-2016. The focus of the study will be on the whole range of educational institutions established by Muslims in India, namely, Madarsas, schools, colleges and universities. The study will also seek to dispel any misconception in the wider society regarding the contribution of Muslims in the field of education during this period.

The objective of the study is to collate information on educational institutions (both religious and secular) established by Muslims in India during the period 1986-2016. Information will be collected from all states and union territories. In addition to preparing the list of the educational institutions established by the Muslims during this period, some basic information in respect of each educational institution will also be collected such as founder/s of the educational institution, background of the founder/s, affiliation of the educational institution, whether the educational institution is co-ed or only for boys or only for girls, enrollment (disaggregated by gender, community and caste-categories) information, success stories, challenges, etc. In view of reports of discrimination against Muslims seeking recognition for educational institutions established by them, the study will also collect information regarding number of applications for recognition of educational institution made by Muslims and Non-Muslims, number of applications of each approved and number of applications of each rejected.

Thus, the study will attempt to make a full assessment of the contribution of Muslims in the field of education during the period 1986-2016. It will cover the whole range of educational institutions established by Muslims in India, namely, Madarsas, schools, colleges and universities. The study will also seek to dispel any misconception in the wider society regarding the contribution of Muslims in the field of education during this period.