Rumour Of ‘Illegal Madrasa’ Triggers Demolition Of School In Madhya Pradesh Village

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 15:01 IST

The incident occurred in Dhaba village under Bhainsdehi tehsil in Betul district, where a local resident had been constructing a small private school on his own land.

School razed in Madhya Pradesh village | Image: X

The demolition of a partially built school in a tribal pocket of Madhya Pradesh over allegations of “illegal madrasa" has triggered sharp criticism.

The incident occurred in Dhaba village under Bhainsdehi tehsil in Betul district. Abdul Naeem, a local resident, had been constructing a small private school on his own land, spending nearly Rs 20 lakh with the aim of offering education from nursery to Class 8.

The village, with a population of about 2,000, has only three Muslim households.

According to Naeem, the trouble began when rumours surfaced that the under-construction building was an unauthorised madrasa.

He said the claims were baseless, stressing that the structure was incomplete and no teaching activity had begun. “There was no madrasa, no religious instruction, and no students," he maintained.

On January 11, the Gram Panchayat issued a notice directing him to remove the structure, citing the absence of formal permission.

Naeem said he approached the Panchayat to submit documents but was allegedly asked to return later.

He claimed he had already applied to the School Education Department on December 30, enclosing land records and seeking approval to open a regular school.

As villagers protested against the demolition notice, the Panchayat issued a No Objection Certificate the following day.

The sarpanch later said she had received no complaint about any madrasa and confirmed that consent had been given.

However, despite this clarification, administrative officials arrived on January 13 with earthmoving equipment and razed part of the building and the shed at the site, while villagers were away meeting district officials.

The action was carried out in the presence of police and revenue staff under the supervision of the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Authorities justified the move by terming the construction illegal and categorising it as encroachment.

The demolition left residents unsettled and angry. Naeem said he was unaware that a separate Panchayat NOC was required and appealed to the administration to impose a penalty instead of destroying the structure.

“I applied to the MP Board to open a school, not a madrasa. With only three Muslim families here, the allegation itself makes no sense," he said.

Local residents echoed his account. Community members said the school was being built with village support so children would not have to travel long distances for education.

Activist Sonu Panse of Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti alleged that false rumours led to an overreaction by officials.

The district administration has stood by its decision. Betul Collector Narendra Suryavanshi said the action followed a complaint regarding unauthorised construction and that officials were bound to proceed under the law, regardless of intent.

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