Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday advocated closing down all madrasas and said that religious teachings should be kept to homes.

CM Sarma was speaking at an event titled ‘Media Mahamanthan’ in Delhi organised by Panchjanya, a national weekly on Sunday.

The Assam CM stressed on the need to close down madrasas so that children can take up professions like engineering or medicine.

He said that students should get “normal education” instead of religious teachings in schools which will enable them to move forward in life.

“If they had a choice, I am sure they would prefer to get an education instead of religious teachings,” he said.

The Assam CM said that madrasas should not exist. “Children will not be able to think about becoming doctors and engineers until the word ‘madrasa’ exists,” he added.

Going on about teaching the Quran, CM Sarma said, “Teach the Quran to your children, but at home.”

“Focus should be more on subjects like math, biology, botany, zoology,” the Assam CM said, adding, “There should be normal education in schools.”

Asserting that religious teachings should be imparted at home, he said, “Religious texts can be taught at home. But in schools, they should study to become doctors, engineers, professors and scientists.”