Unmarked survey forms are being circulated among mosques, madrasas, idgahs and mazars across West Bengal, seeking detailed information about the management, functioning, affiliations and activities of these religious institutions. The exercise has been initiated by the Department of Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education, according to the information available.

The questionnaires seek information on several aspects of the institutions, including their religious or sectarian affiliation, ownership of the land on which they operate and sources of funding. The forms also ask whether institutions receive funding from foreign sources and seek details about foreign visitors or students associated with them.

The survey goes beyond administrative and financial information, with questions concerning previous cases, FIRs and charge-sheets involving the institutions. The forms also seek information about the distance of the institution from an international border, as well as certain political or organisational details involving alumni.

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Questions relating to foreign exchange programmes and foreign nationals staying at the institutions are also included in the questionnaires. However, the forms accessed do not mention a government notification, memorandum number, date, issuing authority or specific legal provision under which the information is being collected.

The absence of visible official authentication has prompted questions from the West Bengal chapter of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). The organisation has sought clarification from the administration regarding the legal framework and purpose of the survey, particularly over the inclusion of questions concerning religious or sectarian affiliations and other sensitive information.

APCR said the questionnaire covers several sensitive categories, including the religious affiliation of madrasas, distance from international borders, domestic and foreign funding, FIRs and court matters, political or organisational positions held by alumni, foreign exchange programmes and information about foreign nationals staying at the institutions. APCR secretary Umar Awais said the organisation was concerned about the collection of such information through forms that do not carry visible official authentication.

The organisation, however, clarified that it is not opposed to lawful surveys or verification exercises conducted by competent authorities for legitimate purposes. Its objection is primarily related to transparency surrounding the current exercise and the manner in which the information is being sought.

APCR has therefore asked the authorities to clarify who authorised the survey, why the information is being collected and how the sensitive questions are connected to the stated purpose of the exercise. The organisation has also sought greater clarity on how the information gathered through the forms will be used and handled.

The survey has brought renewed attention to the balance between administrative verification of religious institutions and the collection of sensitive personal, financial and organisational information. Further clarification from the West Bengal administration or the Department of Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education is awaited on the legal basis and scope of the exercise.

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