Notice to NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanungo over his remarks against Jamiat Open School
Jamiat Ulama i Hind has issued a legal notice to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanungo asking him to retract his 'false, concocted, and defamatory' statements made about the Jamiat Open School. Read More
New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama i Hind has issued a legal notice to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanungo asking him to retract his 'false, concocted, and defamatory' statements made about the Jamiat Open School.
Supreme Court Lawyer Vrinda Grover has served the notice to NCPCR Chairman on behalf of the Jamiat demanding Priyank Kanungo to retract his statements within seven days, failing which a legal action will be pursued against him.
In the notice addressed to Priyank Kanungo dated March 20, 2024, Jamiat’s legal representatives have refuted the baseless allegations.
"These allegations, disseminated through various media channels, have tarnished Jamiat’s reputation and integrity as an organization dedicated to serving the educational needs of the marginalized communities, particularly from the Muslim minority", the lawyers said.
On March 13, NCPCR Chairman Kanungo levied baseless accusations against Jamiat Open School in a letter to the National Institute of Open School (NIOS), branding its operations as 'organized crime' and insinuating improper financial ties with Pakistan.
"These defamatory remarks were further propagated during a televised interview", the Jamia said.
The Jamiat in its notice unequivocally rejected these allegations, emphasizing that the Jamiat Open School operates within the legal parameters, providing formal education opportunities accredited by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to the marginalized communities, particularly the Muslim minority.
"The initiative is aimed at empowering students who have been deprived of mainstream educational opportunities, facilitating their integration into civil society", the Jamiat said.
"Kanungo's deliberate use of hostile language towards the institution of Madrasas and Dar-ul-Ulooms is unwarranted. It is essential to note that ‘Madrasas’ enjoy recognition in our legal scheme.In fact, in Sec. 1(5) of The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, it is specifically stated that the Act shall not apply to Madarsas, Vedic Pathsalas and other institutions primarily imparting religious instruction", the Jamiat said.
"There is thus statutory recognition of the validity of Madarsas, and there are various state level laws which also recognize these institutes of religious teaching", one of the largest organisations run by Muslims in India said.
"He falsely, and maliciously termed an initiative named as ‘Jamiat Open School’ that only facilitates learning through NIOS for the students of different educational institutions (linguistically, ‘Madrasa’ in itself meaning ‘educational institution’) to running an ‘open Madrasa’", the Jamiat said.
"Moreover, Jamiat does not stop children from getting formal schooling but facilitates formal education for children with informal education. By employing the above quoted false imputations against Jamiat he severely harmed the reputation", the Jamiat said.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also said that the NCPCR Chairman's insinuations regarding financial impropriety are baseless, as the organisation adheres strictly to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, with a valid FCRA certificate issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"Needless to say, the Jamiat is wholly compliant with all requirements under the FCRA law and rules, and no money is transferred to Pakistan and neither is it used for any purposes impermissible under law, which is under constant monitoring of the FCRA wing of the Ministry of Home Affairs as per the mandate of the FCRA law", the Jamiat said.
"This issue is beyond the mandate of the NCPCR and as such his actions reek of malice especially given that your statements are rooted in falsehoods, surmises and untenable assertions", it said.
The Jamiat in its notice admonishes Kanungo's irresponsible conduct as the legally appointed Chairperson, urging restraint from further defamatory statements detrimental to organizations dedicated to societal betterment.
"He is hereby put on notice to immediately cease and desist from issuing any such statements, communications, representations, directions or orders, either in your personal capacity or as Chairperson of the NCPCR, which directly or indirectly cast false, baseless, untenable and per se defamatory aspersions on my Client or the Jamiat Open School", the Jamiat said.
Meanwhile the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also implored the media to exercise caution in disseminating unverified allegations that tarnish the reputation of organizations committed to serving the educational needs of marginalized communities.
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