Bihar govt announces scholarships for madrassa students

A Muslim boy learns to read the Koran at a madrassa, or religious school on the outskirts of Agartala, India File photo : Reuters
A Muslim boy learns to read the Koran at a madrassa, or religious school on the outskirts of Agartala, India File photo : Reuters

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday announced scholarships for students of government-affiliated madrassas. He also pledged to appoint Urdu teachers in all high schools.

"Students of government-affiliated madrassas will be provided scholarships," Nitish Kumar said at a function in Patna to mark Urdu Day.

He said the government would strengthen madrassa infrastructure in the state.

He also expressed regrets for not learning Urdu during his student days.

"It is my desire that all should learn and study Urdu. Both Hindi and Urdu are Hindustani languages. The government will work for the promotion of Urdu.

"It is wrong to associate Urdu with a particular community," he added.