A controversial survey is underway in West Bengal where police are serving unmarked forms to religious institutions seeking sensitive data on foreign funding and visitors. Human rights activists have called for an immediate inquiry into the lack of transparency.

Key Takeaways

  • Police in West Bengal are distributing unmarked proformas to madrasas, mosques, and idgahs.
  • Questions include details on foreign funding, foreign visitors, and proximity to international borders.
  • The forms lack official government notifications, seals, or memo numbers.
  • APCR has urged the CM and DGP to ensure transparency and legal compliance.

A wave of controversy has swept through West Bengal as police personnel across multiple districts—including Barrackpore, Birbhum, Malda, and Murshidabad—have begun serving unmarked proformas to various religious institutions. These documents, titled 'Proforma for survey of Madrasah' or 'Proforma for survey of mosque/idgah/mazar', demand highly sensitive information, ranging from GPS coordinates of the premises to the political affiliations of staff and alumni.

Questions Regarding Foreign Links and Border Proximity

The survey goes beyond basic administrative data. Authorities are being pressed for details regarding the sources of foreign funding, a list of foreign visitors from the last three years, and any ongoing foreign exchange programs for students. Perhaps most controversially, the forms seek to establish the exact distance of these religious premises from the international border, raising concerns about potential profiling.

Why This Matters: BozokMedia Analysis

BozokMedia analysis shows that the primary legal concern lies in the absence of an official mandate. The distributed forms contain no reference to a government notification, no issuing authority's name, and no official seal or memo number. In a democratic setup, any state-led inquiry into religious institutions must be grounded in a clear legal framework to prevent arbitrary exercises of power and to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

"Such an exercise, particularly when it involves sensitive information concerning religious institutions, should be carried out only on the basis of a clear and identifiable government order."

Reports from local residents suggest that the process has been intimidating. In several instances, police teams arrived late at night—sometimes around midnight—to serve these forms, leading to heated exchanges with local community leaders. At Masjid Baitul Muazzam, staff reported being told to submit all details by the following morning, a timeline many found impossible to meet.

The Demand for Transparency

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has stepped in, submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and DGP Siddh Nath Gupta. The activists argue that while the Department of Minority Affairs may conduct its own surveys, this separate, unmarked police initiative lacks the necessary legal legitimacy. They have called for the government to make any official order public to dispel rumors of selective targeting.

Did You Know?: Legal surveys of educational or religious institutions in India must typically be backed by a specific statutory provision or a formal government gazette notification.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What specific sensitive information is being requested?
The forms ask for foreign funding sources, details of foreign visitors, staff political affiliations, and proximity to international borders.

2. Why is the APCR protesting this survey?
The APCR is concerned because the forms lack official government stamps, memo numbers, or any identifiable legal authority.