Madrasa sans Approval; Girl’s mysterious death

Kerala (VSK).
Al-Aman residential Madrasa in Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthauram, was in news recently when a when a minor girl Asmiyamol (17) reportedly committed suicide in the hostel room on May 13, 2023. Her parents had alleged mental harassment by a teacher. They have demanded probe into the matter. It is reported that according to Balaramapuram Police, the girl was a native of Beemapalli, Thiruvananthapuram and she had, on that particular day, asked her mother to take her home from the institute. When she reached the Madrasa, it is reported, she was not allowed to meet her daughter. Later on, the body of the minor was found in the accommodation. Her parents filed the complaint with the police.
Now, the reports suggest, the police have given a letter to the District Collector with respect to the death of the minor girl. The letter reportedly states that Madrasa does not have approval to function. In another words, the institution is not approved by education department or social welfare department. It does not have approval for maintaining hostel and other educational buildings. Now, the demand has come to investigate which department has approved the Madrasa’s functioning.
The police is reported to be at the final stage of inquiry into the reason for Asmiya’s death. The abetment angle also is being probed. It is also reported that the police have recorded the statement of the girl’s relatives, 30 classmates, teachers, etc. Some of them were summoned to the police station to record statements. Reports suggest, the police team visited the Madrasa and collected every document related to Asmiya including attendance register, the information regarding the institution’s registration, etc.
The police have taken statements from five employees of Kadeejathul Kudra Women’s Arabic College and the Al Aman Madrasa. Both are situated in the same premises. Some students are reported to have told the police that when Asmiyamol went home for Eid Ul-Fitr holidays, she had told them that she would never return. This statement is probed into by the police. Asmiyamol was the plus one student of Khadeejathul Kudra Women’s Arabic College. Religious study center and the college are run by private individuals. Asmiya was studying and staying there for the last one year. The said institution appears to be having no links with any Mosques, Madrasas, or Muslim Jamaats. Various Jamaat authorities have said, the institution is run by a private individual.
According to her family, Asmiyamol used to call them every Friday. But, since she did not call her family on May 12, Friday, her mother called up the institution the next day. Asmiya called back and asked her mother to come and take her home. When her mother rushed to the institution in one and a half hour later, she found her dead.
BJP Thiruvananthapuram alleged that many Madrasas in the capital city are hubs of anti-national activities and abuse. He urged the government to constitute a special investigation team and probe into the death of Asmiyamol.
But, Asmiya’s relatives say, she would never commit suicide. Her family demands a detailed investigation. Her mother has reportedly told the media that her daughter had complained to her about a Ustaad and a teacher who were abusing her.